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Cited by 769Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and PostpartumMaternal and Perinatal Health InterventionsPosttraumatic Stress Disorder Research

The prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder in pregnancy and after birth: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Yildiz, Pelin Dikmen, Ayers, Susan, Phillips, Louise·2017·Journal of Affective Disorders
DOI 10.1016/j.jad.2016.10.009
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Abstract

Background Previous reviews have provided preliminary insights into risk factors and possible prevalence of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) postpartum with no attempt to examine prenatal PTSD. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of PTSD during pregnancy and after birth, and the course of PTSD over this time.Methods PsychINFO, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science were searched using PTSD terms crossed with perinatal terms. Studies were included if they reported the prevalence of PTSD during pregnancy or after birth using a diagnostic measure.Results 59 studies (N =24267) met inclusion criteria: 35 studies of prenatal PTSD and 28 studies of postpartum PTSD (where 4 studies provided prevalence of PTSD in pregnancy and postpartum). In community samples the mean prevalence of prenatal PTSD was 3.3% (95%, CI 2.44-4.54). The majority of postpartum studies measured PTSD in relation to childbirth with a mean prevalence of 4.0% (95%, CI 2.77-5.71) in community samples. Women in high-risk groups were at more risk of PTSD with a mean prevalence of 18.95% (95%, CI 10.62-31.43) in pregnancy and 18.5% (95%, CI 10.6-30.38) after birth. Using clinical interviews was associated with lower prevalence rates in pregnancy and higher prevalence rates postpartum.Limitations Limitations include use of stringent diagnostic criteria, wide variability of PTSD rates, and inadequacy of studies on prenatal PTSD measured in three trimesters.Conclusions PTSD is prevalent during pregnancy and after birth and may increase postpartum if not identified and treated. Assessment and treatment in maternity services is recommended.

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Authors
Yildiz, P. D., Ayers, S., & Phillips, L.
Affiliations
City, University of London (GB)
Corresponding author
Ayers, Susan
ORCID
Ayers, Susan
Venue
Journal of Affective Disorders
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2017-01
Volume
208
Pages
634-645
ISSN
0165-0327 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.jad.2016.10.009
OpenAlex
W2542924774
Cited by
768
References
99
Citations by year
2026: 90 · 2025: 97 · 2024: 99 · 2023: 97 · 2022: 97 · 2021: 92 · 2020: 111 · 2019: 47 · 2018: 24 · 2017: 13 · 2015: 1
FWCI
4.14
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Journal of Affective Disorders (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Worcester Research and Publications (University of Worcester) (acceptedVersion)
  • City Research Online (City University London) (acceptedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Obstetrics and Gynecology › Maternal and Perinatal Health Interventions
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
Keywords
post-traumatic stress disorder, postpartum PTSD, pregnancy, childbirth, prevalence, high-risk groups, obstetric care
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Psychological, Female, Humans, Pregnancy, Risk Factors, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Prevalence, Depression, Postpartum, Parturition, Delivery, Obstetric, Postpartum Period

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