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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.

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

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