الملخص الإنجليزي
Repeated pregnancies along with inadequate dietary intake might contribute to different nutrients depletion, including docosahexaenoic (DHA) fatty acid. This cross-sectional study was planned to evaluate serum DHA level of postpartum Omani women. This study involved 87 Omani women [(post partum group, (n=70) and control group, females with no history of pregnancy, (n=17)]. A depression scale was used to screen all study participants. Dietary intake was evaluated using a semi quantitative food frequency questionnaire and serum DHA was measured using HPLC-based technique for all study participants. There was no statistically significant difference between postpartum women and control group with regard to consumption of foods containing DHA or its precursor. Postpartum women had a significantly higher mean daily intake of total calories, carbohydrates and total fats as compared to control group. The mean serum level of DHA was the lowest among postpartum women who had 4-8 pregnancies as compared to postpartum women who had 1-3 pregnancies and the control group. The mean depression score among post partum women who had 4-8 pregnancies, was significantly higher than postpartum women who had 1-3 pregnancies, meanwhile control subjects were not depressed. Among the studied Omani subjects; low serum DHA and depression were prevalent among postpartum women who had higher number of pregnancies (4-8).
