Research view
Title: | The impact of anxiety and depression during pregnancy on fetal growth and the birth outcome |
Author: | Youmna Sabri and Hanan Nabel |
Abstract: |
Background
Maternal depressive and anxiety symptoms during pregnancy have been reported in some,
but not all, studies to be associated with an increased risk of preterm birth and intrauterine
growth restriction ( IUGR).
Objectives
The aim of this study was to estimate the risk of preterm birth and IUGR associated with
antenatal anxiety and depression during early pregnancy and to evaluate their impact on fetal
growth and the birth outcome.
Patients and methods
The following measures were applied to 54 pregnant mothers: the Edinburgh Postnatal
Depressive Scale ( EPDS), the Beck Anxiety Inventory ( BAI), and fetal biometric data and
behavior were recorded during ultrasound examination at 24–36 weeks of gestation and the
placental blood perfusion was measured by Doppler assessment of the systolic/diastolic ratio
(S/D ratio) of the umbilical artery in the third trimester.
Results
This study revealed that women with depressive and anxiety symptoms in the third trimester
of pregnancy exhibit an increased likelihood of having oligohydramnios, IUGR, diminished
placental perfusion, and preterm labor.
Conclusion
This study provides evidence that maternal depressive and anxiety symptoms during pregnancy
are associated with various fetal developmental problems.
Keywor ds :
anxiety, birth outcome, depression, pregnancy
|
Journal: | Egyptian Journal of Psychiatry 2015, 36:95–100 |
Text: | |
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