Perceived stress may mediate the relationship between antenatal depressive symptoms and preterm birth: A pilot observational cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Screening for changes in pregnancy-related anxiety and depressive symptoms during pregnancy may further our understanding of the relationship between these two variables and preterm birth.

Objectives

To determine whether changes in pregnancy-related anxiety and depressive symptoms during pregnancy influence the risk of preterm birth among Pakistani women; explore whether perceived stress moderates or mediates this relationship, and examine the relationship between the various components of pregnancy-related anxiety and preterm birth.

Methods

A prospective cohort study design was used to recruit a diverse sample of 300 low-risk pregnant women from four centers of Aga Khan Hospital for Women and Children in Karachi, Pakistan. Changes in pregnancy-related anxi

SUBMITTER: Lalani S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8096039 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature