Correlation between the Symptoms of Major Depression during Pregnancy, Fetal Indicators and Delivery Complications

Abstract

Introduction: Studies have shown a high prevalence rate of the symptoms of major depression in the general population of women on Kosovo (43.18%), therefore research on the impact of depression during pregnancy on the intrauterine fetal development and complications during and after delivery in the population of women on Kosovo at reproductive age has scientific and professional rationale. Objective: The purpose of the study is to research correlation of major depression symptoms during pregnancy with the indicators of intrauterine fetal development and complications during delivery. Method: The research is prospective randomized and after fulfilling the selective criteria included three hundred pregnant women in the second trimester and at the beginning of the third trimester of pregnancy in the general population of women on Kosovo. Scale of the major depression symptoms was determined with the Hopkins Symptom Check List (HSCL-25). Statistical package for results analysis included software SPSS 12, ANOVA analyses, frequencies, Chi square test, and linear regression analysis. Results: Significant correlation was proven between the symptoms of major depression during early and mid-pregnancy with: uterine contractions at the beginning of labor, perineal lacerations during delivery, tachycardia in the newborn baby, duration of newborn’s stay in the neonatal intensive care unit, the woman's duration of hospital stay in the department before and after delivery, and the delayed start of breastfeeding. Findings proved that there is no significant correlation between the emotional state of pregnant women and the slowing down of the intrauterine fetal development. Discussion: Based on the study results and the data from the literature, these clinical correlations are a result of interaction between the major depression during pregnancy with neuroendocrine trajectories of pregnancy, fetus and placental functions. Conclusion: Major depression during early and mid-term pregnancy may have impact on specific clinical parameters of the childbirth and newborn baby. The obtained results suggest the need for systematic mental health support of the woman during pregnancy.