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Depression during pregnancy: a risk factor for adverse neonatal outcomes? A critical review of the literature
Open accessAbstract
OBJECTIVE: We reviewed studies of maternal depression and preterm birth (PTB), low birthweight (LBW) and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) in the context of methodological differences between studies and potential limitations. METHODS: We conducted a literature search of PubMed (1996-2011) for English-language studies of maternal depression and (1) PTB and gestational age (GA), (2) LBW and birthweight (BW) and (3) SGA. Thirty-six studies met eligibility criteria. RESULTS: Elevated depression levels, particularly in early- to mid-pregnancy, appear to increase risk of PTB and SGA. Findings suggest an increased risk for LBW, but were less consistent. Methodological differences and limitations likely contributed to conflicting findings. A wide range of depression measures were used with the majority of studies utilizing measures not designed, or validated, for pregnant women. Studies failed to assess depression at multiple pregnancy time points, thus constraining the ability to assess the impact of duration and pattern of exposure to depression. Antidepressant use and co-morbid psychosocial factors were rarely considered as potential confounders or effect modifiers. CONCLUSIONS: Studies suggest that depression during pregnancy may be an important risk factor for PTB and SGA, and possibly LBW. Improved study methodology is needed to elucidate the consequence of maternal depression on adverse birth outcomes.
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“For the fetus, depression is associated with adverse effects through the increased risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and for being small for gestational age (19–21).”
From Acceptance, experiences, and needs of hospitalized pregnant women toward an electronic mindfulness-based intervention: A pilot mixed-methods study (2022) · cites this paper as [20]
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Metadata
- Authors
- Szegda, K., Markenson, G., Bertone-Johnson, E. R., & Chasan-Taber, L.
- Affiliations
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (US)
- Baystate Medical Center (US)
- ORCID
- Markenson, Glenn
- Venue
- The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2013-10-17
- Volume
- 27
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 960-967
- ISSN
- 1476-4954 (ISSN-L)
- 1476-7058
- PMC
- PMC4812822
- OpenAlex
- W2022742917
- Cited by
- 155
- References
- 58
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 21 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 23 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 6
- FWCI
- 1.14
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (R01DK064902)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Maternal and Neonatal Healthcare
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Pregnancy and Medication Impact
- Keywords
- maternal depression, pregnancy, preterm birth, low birth weight, small for gestational age, adverse neonatal outcomes, antidepressant use, psychosocial comorbidity, gestational age
- MeSH terms
- Depression, Depressive Disorder, Female, Humans, Infant, Low Birth Weight, Infant, Newborn, Infant, Newborn, Diseases, Infant, Small for Gestational Age, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Complications, Pregnancy Outcome, Risk Factors, Premature Birth
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