Antenatal depressive symptoms increase the likelihood of preterm birth.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the relationship between antenatal depressive symptoms and preterm birth.


METHODS
Patients completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale between 24-28 weeks of gestation. A score ≥ 12 (or thoughts of self-harm) indicated an at-risk woman. Symptomatic women were compared to risk-negative patients for relevant demography, historical variables, and pregnancy outcome.


RESULTS
After screening 14,175 women we found a screen positive rate of 9.1% (n = 1298). At-risk women had a significant increase in preterm birth at <37, <34, <32, and <28 weeks of gestation. Multivariable analysis adjusting for maternal age, race/ethnicity, prior preterm delivery, and insurance status revealed a persistent association between antenatal depressive symptoms and preterm birth (adjusted odds ratio, 1.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-1.35), which was also observed after multiple gestations were excluded from the analysis (odds ratio, 1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.38-1.99).


CONCLUSIONS
In this large cohort of prenatally screened women, those with depressive symptoms had an increased likelihood of preterm birth.
Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL 60201, USA.
Heather
H
Straub
Marci
M
Adams
J Jo
JJ
Kim
Richard K
RK
Silver
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008423:Maternal Age; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires