Post

New research · Psychiatry

Journal of psychiatric research · 1w

Cohort studyJournal of psychiatric research · 2026

Associations between maternal lipid metabolism in early pregnancy and postpartum symptoms of depression and anxiety: results from a longitudinal cohort of 266 women.

Eva Pilar López García

PsychiatryCohort study

Higher early-pregnancy triglyceride-to-HDL ratio was linked to postpartum depression risk

Associations between maternal lipid metabolism in early pregnancy and postpartum symptoms of depression and anxiety: results from a longitudinal cohort of 266 women.

Eva Pilar López García

Journal of psychiatric research · 2026

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated psychological vulnerability in perinatal women.

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate whether first-trimester lipid profiles can predict postpartum depression (postpartum depression) and anxiety in the post-pandemic context.

Methods

A prospective cohort study of 266 pregnant women was conducted.

Results

higher blood-fat balance meant greater odds of depression after birth

OR 1.65 (95% CI 1.22 to 2.10)

null 1

1.22

2.10

CI excludes the null - significant

More results

22.6% of women exhibited postpartum depression symptoms (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale >12).

High first-trimester triglycerides (triglycerides) and an elevated triglycerides/HDL ratio (≥1.9) were significantly associated with higher Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale scores (p < 0.001).

“

Conclusion

Early pregnancy lipid profiles show significant prospective associations with postpartum psychological distress, suggesting their potential role as early screening candidates that require further validation.

Read paper