The Relationship between Depression and Anxiety of Pregnant Women with Anthropometric Indicators in Newborns

Background and Objective: Maternal mental state is closely related to the fetus. Therefore, the current study aimed to assess the relationship between depression and anxiety of pregnant women with neonatal anthropometric indicators (birth weight, height and head circumference). Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study with correlational approach, ۱۴۶ pregnant women in their third trimester of pregnancy were selected with cluster sampling. Data were collected using DASS-۴۲ questionnaire and were analyzed with SPSS-۱۶ using statistical analysis of Pearson correlation and ANOVA. Results: The mean age of participants was ۲۸.۴± ۶.۱۲ years. Their level of depression and anxiety was ۵۰.۷% and ۷۰.۵% (mild to severe), respectively. Mean and SD of weight were۳۰۰۰±۴۸۲.۰۴ gr. Height and head circumference at birth  in neonates were ۴۹.۵۸ ±۱.۸۴ cm and   ۳۴.۱۹± ۱.۵۶cm, respectively. Findings showed that depression and anxiety of pregnant women had a significant negative relationship with birth weight and height (p<۰.۰۱). It means that with an increase in depression and anxiety, there was a decrease in weight and height at birth. No significant relationship was found between maternal depression and anxiety with head circumference at birth (p>۰.۰۵). Conclusion: It is recommended that first and second level preventive measurements be undertaken as related to maternal psychological symptoms (depression and anxiety) in order to prevent their intrauterine development and subsequent disorders.

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Keywords: Depression , Anxiety , Neonatal , Anthropometric Index , Pregnant