Nutritional supplementation (combination of Myo-inositol [MI], Probiotics, Zinc, Vitamin D, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12) plays a key role in maintaining mental health functioning during pregnancy and the postpartum phase.

Various studies have explored links between maternal nutrition and mental well-being during pregnancy. The NiPPeR randomized controlled trial investigated if a supplement containing MI, Probiotics, enriched with micronutrients could enhance mental health in pregnant women compared to a standard prenatal supplement. This study aimed to assess the effects of this nutritional supplement during pregnancy and post-birth in terms of mood, anxiety and mental wellness.

To assess the symptoms of anxiety and mood, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-state) scale were used (EPDS>=13 as low mood; STAI-state>=45 as high anxiety) done at different time points (before conception [baseline], 7 weeks, 28 weeks and 34 weeks of pregnancy, 3 weeks and 6 months postpartum).

The assessment of changes in mental health involved the comparison of 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12v2) mental component scores at baseline and after 6 months of delivery.

No strong disparities in EPDS and STAI-state scores between the groups across pregnancy (number of women, n = 630) and postpartum phase (n = 532) were found after adjusting for site, ethnicity and baseline scores. In comparison to the control group, women in the treatment group displayed an average increase of 1.21 (95% CI 0.04, 2.39) in the SF-12v2 mental component score from before conception to 6 months postpartum. 

Intake of nutritional supplement (MI and Probiotics enriched with micronutrients) during preconception/pregnancy did not impact anxiety and mood. However, it modestly improved mental health functioning from baseline to 6 months postpartum.