The Relationship Between Maternal Perinatal Depression and Feeding Behavior Among Primiparas

Recruiting

• Conditions: Complementary Feeding; Breastfeeding; Perinatal Depression

• Registration Number: NCT06231602
• Lead Sponsor: National Taiwan University Hospital

Brief Summary

The goal of this observational study is to explore the impact of pregnancy depression on infant feeding, and to explore the two-way relationship between postpartum depression and infant feeding. Participants will be asked to finish questionnaires four times (24 weeks of pregnancy to before delivery, 2 month postpartum, 4 month postpartum, 6 month postpartum).

Detailed Description

Background: Perinatal depression and infant feeding (breastfeeding and complementary feeding) are important global health issues. The prevalence of perinatal depression is high around the world, and breastfeeding rates in middle- and high-income countries are on a downward trend. Past research has pointed out that perinatal depression is related to infant feeding. However, there is a lack of research on the impact of maternal depression on infant feeding in Asian Chinese pregnant women, and "whether there is a bidirectional causal relationship between postpartum depression and infant feeding" remains unclear.

Purpose: To explore the impact of pregnancy depression on infant feeding, and to explore the two-way relationship between postpartum depression and infant feeding.

Method: This is a longitudinal cohort study. It's estimated to recruit 500 pregnant women. It is planned to recruit participants at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic of National Taiwan University Hospital. At the same time, research recruitment advertisements will also be posted online. This study will collect data by questionnaires distributed a total four times (24 weeks of pregnancy to before delivery, 2 month postpartum, 4 month postpartum, 6 month postpartum). Variables include: sociodemographics, maternal variables (parity, number of births, planned pregnancy, maternal complications, mode of delivery, height and weight during pregnancy and postpartum, blood pressure), infant variables (gender, health status , height, weight), anticipatory feeding schedule, health-risk behaviors (smoking and alcohol use), social support, situation of breastfeeding and complementary feeding, reactive feeding, sleep, fatigue, exercise habits, and tendency to depression.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2024-01-21
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-01-21
• Study First Posted: 2024-01-30
• Study Start: 2024-02-19
• Status Verified: 2025-03
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-03-19
• Last Update Posted: 2025-03-24
• Primary Completion: 2025-12-31
• Study Completion: 2025-12-31

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: Female
• Target Recruitment: 500

Inclusion Criteria

• Primipara
• Adult women over 18 years old
• Those with no recurrent pregnancy loss and stable signs of pregnancy
• Those who agree to participate in this study

Exclusion Criteria

• No exclusion conditions

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
infant variables	2 month postpartum, 4 month postpartum, 6 month postpartum	Questions contain gender, health status , height in centimeters, weight in grams.
perinatal depression	24 weeks of pregnancy to before delivery, 2 month postpartum, 4 month postpartum, 6 month postpartum	Depression was measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale.
maternal variables	24 weeks of pregnancy to before delivery, 2 month postpartum, 4 month postpartum, 6 month postpartum	Questions contain parity, number of births, planned pregnancy, maternal complications, mode of delivery, height in centimeters, weight in kilograms, blood pressure, etc. Height and weight will be measured during pregnancy and postpartum(Height and weight will be combined to report BMI in kg/m\^2).
breastfeeding situation	2 month postpartum, 4 month postpartum, 6 month postpartum	Questions contain whether breastfeeding is continued, the type of feeding (breastfeeding or formula feeding), whether additional liquids are fed and the amount of feeding, etc.
complementary feeding situation	4 month postpartum, 6 month postpartum	Questions contain types of food, starting age of introduction, daily feeding amount and daily feeding times, etc.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

National Taiwan University Hospital; 🇨🇳 Taipei, Taiwan