Preterm Birth: Understanding Temporal Changes in Anxiety and Depression Measures

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to understand whether there is a pattern of change in levels of anxiety and depression between the second and third trimesters of pregnancy that are associated with a risk of PTB. Chronic stress was assessed as a potential modifier of the relationship. Methods: This study conducted a secondary data analysis on the All Our Babies prospective cohort. Logistic regression modeling was used to analyze the data. Results: A worsening of anxiety during pregnancy increased the odds of preterm delivery (OR 2.70, 95% CI 1.28, 5.69; p=0.009). An improvement in anxiety reduced the odds of PTB (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.94, 0.98; p=<0.001). Consistently low depression decreased the odds of PTB (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.45, 0.96; p=0.029). Chronic stress did not modify any of these relationships. Conclusions: Efforts should be made to replicate these results in a cohort with a larger sample size.