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World J Psychiatry. Sep 19, 2026; 16(9): 119399
Published online Sep 19, 2026. doi: 10.5498/wjp.119399
Published online Sep 19, 2026. doi: 10.5498/wjp.119399
Enhanced niacin skin flushing response in perinatal compared to non-perinatal depression
Ya-Nan Huang, Jun Li, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200336, China
Yan-Yan Xie, Department of Psychiatry, Shanghai Xuhui Mental Health Center, Shanghai 200232, China
Shu-Hui Li, Bio-X Institutes, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
Xiao Yu, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Psychological Crisis Intervention, Affiliated Mental Health Center (ECNU), School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
Co-first authors: Ya-Nan Huang and Yan-Yan Xie.
Author contributions: Huang YN and Xie YY made equal contributions to this study as co-first authors; Huang YN designed the study, performed the research, collected the data, and wrote the manuscript; Xie YY provided clinical advice on the study design, verified, and organized the data, and drafted the manuscript; Li SH developed the statistical methodology, interpreted the data, performed the statistical analysis, and prepared all figures and tables; Yu X assisted in data collection and organization; Li J reviewed and finalized the manuscript; and all authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript.
AI contribution statement: No AI tools were used in this study.
Supported by Science and Technology Commission of Changning District, Shanghai, No. CNKW2022Y36.
Institutional review board statement: The study was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of Shanghai Changning Maternity and Infant Health Hospital (Approval No. CNFBLLKT-2023-005).
Informed consent statement: All study participants, or their legal guardian, provided informed written consent prior to study enrollment.
Conflict-of-interest statement: There are no conflicts of interest to report.
STROBE statement: The authors have read the STROBE Statement—checklist of items, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the STROBE Statement—checklist of items.
Data sharing statement: The dataset that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Corresponding author: Jun Li, Associate Chief Physician, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 1111 XianXia Road, Changning District, Shanghai 200336, China. drlijun1983@163.com
Received: March 17, 2026
Revised: May 8, 2026
Accepted: June 4, 2026
Published online: September 19, 2026
Processing time: 159 Days and 22.1 Hours
Revised: May 8, 2026
Accepted: June 4, 2026
Published online: September 19, 2026
Processing time: 159 Days and 22.1 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Perinatal depression (PND) is associated with a hyperactive niacin skin flushing response (NSFR) compared to non-perinatal depressive disorder (DD). NSFR may be useful as a biomarker for distinguishing PND from DD. Advanced maternal age, later pregnancy and postpartum stages, delayed help-seeking, and high poultry intake are identified as risk factors for PND, whereas vegetable and egg intake appear to have a protective effect against postpartum depressive symptoms.