BACKGROUND: The intersection between perinatal mental health and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic remains of significant public health importance. The current study examined the emotional and financial well-being and predictors of elevated depressive symptoms among pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic.
METHODS: This online survey was conducted with 2118 women ≥18 years old who were pregnant at the time of the survey and living in the United States or Puerto Rico. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, with scores ≥10 indicative of elevated depressive symptoms. The final logistic regression model included housing insecurity, financial distress, COVID-19 diagnosis, exposure to COVID-19, and demographic covariates.
RESULTS: More than half the sample (53.8%) had elevated depressive symptoms. In logistic regression analyses, the odds of having elevated depressive symptoms were significantly higher for participants reporting housing insecurity (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.56; 95% CI, 1.22-2.01), financial distress (aOR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.17-2.12), COVID-19 diagnosis (aOR, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.53-4.17), and COVID-19 exposure (aOR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.07-1.86), after adjusting for covariates. The association of elevated depressive symptoms with housing insecurity was especially strong among those who experienced COVID-19 (aOR, 6.04; 95% CI, 2.15-17.0).
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings are consistent with previous literature revealing that diagnosis, exposure, concerns about family, and effects on financial stability were related to depressive symptoms during the pandemic. The relationships between financial and housing concerns with elevated depressive symptoms, independent of concerns about infection in family members, suggest that there may be direct and indirect effects of the pandemic on mental health.

UNASSIGNED: Antenatal depression is associated with long-term disability in both mothers and new-borns. Inadequate data and research can constrain resource allocation and exacerbate the condition\'s symptoms.
UNASSIGNED: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of prenatal depression and the characteristics associated with it among women receiving prenatal care at Chelstone First Level Hospital in Lusaka.
UNASSIGNED: A cross-sectional survey of 281 pregnant women receiving prenatal care at Chelstone First Level Hospital was conducted using systematic random sampling. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to assess participants\' depression, and related data were collected using a structured, pretested, and interviewer-administered questionnaire.
UNASSIGNED: Prenatal depression was identified in 26.3 percent of pregnant women surveyed (95 CI: 21% -32%), with antenatal depression being significantly more prevalent in women who did not have a satisfactory relationship with their partner/significant other (OR=1.70, 95CI: 1.40-3.10). Unemployment was found to be a risk factor for antenatal depression, with a 1.3 (95 CI:1.04-1.5) fold increased risk compared to employed women.
UNASSIGNED: Depressive symptoms are common among pregnant women seeking antenatal care in primary care, and unemployment, as well as a lack of relationship satisfaction with the spouse/significant other, increases the risk of depression.

UNASSIGNED: COVID-19 pandemic has affected the pregnant women both physically and mentally. This study is conducted to assess, the impact on COVID-19 pandemic on psychiatric symptoms among pregnancy and to compare them with non-pregnant women.
UNASSIGNED: An observational study was conducted at Govt. Medical College & Hospital, Ooty (Udhagamandalam). A validated Edinburgh Depression Scale was used to screen the mental health status. Categorical variables were analysed using Chi-square test and continuous variables by independent t test. A Pearson\'s correlation analysis was performed to check the association of Edinburgh postnatal depression scores with the demographic characteristics. Paired t test was conducted to find the difference in EPDS scores at baseline and study conclusion visit. Regression analysis was conducted to predict the outcome variables.
UNASSIGNED: The Edinburgh Depression scores were significantly higher in the pregnant women group, (12.48 ± 3.753 vs. 8.00 ± 2.436; p value = 0.001; 95% CI 3.340-5.627), when compared to non-pregnant women (12.90 ± 3.731 vs. 9.20 ± 2.973; p value = 0.001; 95% CI 2.480-4.920). The Edinburgh Depression scores at the study conclusion visit was statistically significant, (11.05 ± 3.839 vs. 10.24 ± 3.872; p value = 0.008; 95% CI -1.40 to -0.213). Education, income, duration of marriage, body mass index, and suicidal ideation are some of the predictors identified in this study to cause depression among pregnant women.
UNASSIGNED: The findings of the study indicate a clinically significant increase of depressive symptoms among pregnant women. It is recommended to include routine psychological screenings and interventions during pregnancy.

UNASSIGNED: Depression is a major public health problem in middle- and low-income countries. Depression in pregnancy has adverse effects on obstetric outcomes. Maternal depression remains under-recognized, under-diagnosed and undertreated in Thailand. Antenatal screening of depression is an important strategy to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes. This problem has rarely been investigated in Thailand, especially in urban areas.
UNASSIGNED: To discover the prevalence, associated factors, and predictive factors of depression in pregnant women living in an urban area.
UNASSIGNED: This cross-sectional study of 402 pregnant women was conducted during antenatal care at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok, Thailand, from 10 September to 31 November 2019. The participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire that included a demographic profile, obstetric conditions, socio-cultural characteristics, and a Thai language version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale to assess depressive symptoms.
UNASSIGNED: Among a total 402 pregnant women, the prevalence of depressive symptoms in pregnant women in an urban area was 18.9%. Depressive symptoms in pregnant women were significantly associated with divorce (p < 0.001), low family income (p < 0.03), financial insufficiency (p < 0.001), extended family (p < 0.001), history of previous abortion (p = 0.033), history of previous pregnancy complications (p = 0.044), current alcohol use (p = 0.03), current tobacco use (p = 0.009), current substance abuse (p = 0.002), marital conflict (p < 0.001), and family conflict (p < 0.001). The significant factors predicting depression in pregnant women were extended family (AOR 3.0, 95% CI 1.59-5.51, p=0.001) and marital conflict (AOR 4.7, 95% CI 2.37-9.11, p<0.001).
UNASSIGNED: This study revealed that the prevalence of depressive symptoms in pregnant women living in an urban area in Thailand was 18.9%. The significant associated factors of depressive symptoms were divorce, low family income, financial insufficiency, extended family, previous abortion, previous pregnancy complications, current alcohol use, current tobacco use, current substance abuse, marital conflict, and family conflict. Extended family and marital conflict were significant predictive factors for antenatal depressive symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Depression is the most common psychiatric morbidity in pregnancy, affecting more than 13% of pregnant women. Its diagnosis is based on the criteria established by the DSM-5 and the application of validated scales such as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. However, there are still errors and shortcomings among healthcare professionals in the recognition, diagnosis and treatment of depression during pregnancy, with the resulting consequences and repercussions on the gestation itself or the foetus.
OBJECTIVE: To present a review of depression in pregnancy, its risk factors, clinical characteristics, complications and treatment.
METHODS: The PubMed and LILACS databases were used to search for manuscripts. Of the 223 articles found, 55 fulfilled the inclusion criteria.
RESULTS: The prevalence of depression in pregnancy in South America is approximately 29% and the most significant risk factors are sexual abuse, pregnancy at an early age and intrafamily violence. Therefore, early diagnosis favours a reduction in risk behaviour, foetal neurodevelopmental disorders and obstetric outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS: Depression in pregnancy is common condition but is underreported as its symptoms are often attributed to the pregnancy itself. The use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants, particularly fluoxetine, which has not been associated with teratogenicity, is recommended, in addition to the implementation of non-pharmacological treatment such as psychotherapy, mindfulness and aerobic exercise. Educating healthcare professionals will facilitate the correct diagnosis and treatment of this condition.

Perinatal depression is associated with a high risk of morbidity and mortality and may have long-term consequences on child development. The US Preventive Services Task Force has recently recognized the importance of identifying and treating women with depression in the perinatal period. However, screening and accessing appropriate treatment come with logistical challenges. In many areas, there may not be sufficient access to psychiatric care, and, until these resources develop, the burden may inadvertently fall on obstetricians. As a result, understanding the risks of perinatal depression in comparison with the risks of treatment is important. Many studies of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in pregnancy fail to control for underlying depressive illness, which can lead to misinterpretation of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor risk by clinicians. This review discusses the risks and benefits of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment in pregnancy within the context of perinatal depression. Whereas selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may be associated with certain risks, the absolute risks are low and may be outweighed by the risks of untreated depression for many women and their offspring.

Temperament is a psychological construct that reflects both personality and an infant\'s reaction to social stimuli. It can be assessed early in life and is stable over time Temperament predicts many later life behaviors and illnesses, including impulsivity, emotional regulation and obesity. Early life exposure to neurotoxicants often results in developmental deficits in attention, social function, and IQ, but environmental predictors of infant temperament are largely unknown. We propose that prenatal exposure to both chemical and non-chemical environmental toxicants impacts the development of temperament, which can itself be used as a marker of risk for maladaptive neurobehavior in later life. In this study, we assessed associations among prenatal and early life exposure to lead, mercury, poverty, maternal depression and toddler temperament.
A prospective cohort of women living in the Mexico City area were followed longitudinally beginning in the second trimester of pregnancy. Prenatal exposure to lead (blood, bone), mercury, and maternal depression were assessed repeatedly and the Toddler Temperament Scale (TTS) was completed when the child was 24 months old. The association between each measure of prenatal exposure and performance on individual TTS subscales was evaluated by multivariable linear regression. Latent profile analysis was used to classify subjects by TTS performance. Multinomial regression models were used to estimate the prospective association between prenatal exposures and TTS performance.
500 mother-child pairs completed the TTS and had complete data on exposures and covariates. Three latent profiles were identified and categorized as predominantly difficult, intermediate, or easy temperament. Prenatal exposure to maternal depression predicted increasing probability of difficult toddler temperament. Maternal bone lead, a marker of cumulative exposure, also predicted difficult temperament. Prenatal lead exposure modified this association, suggesting that joint exposure in pregnancy to both was most toxic.
Maternal depression predicts difficult temperament and concurrent prenatal exposure to maternal depression and lead predicts a more difficult temperament phenotype in 2 year olds. The role of temperament as an intermediate variable in the path from prenatal exposures to neurobehavioral deficits and other health effects deserves further study.

Adequate treatment of depression during pregnancy is very important for maternal, fetal and neonatal health. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly used antidepressants. According to one American study, approximately 7% of pregnant women were prescribed an SSRI in 2004-2005. First trimester use of SSRIs, as a group, is unlikely to increase the risk of congenital malformations. Paroxetine may be associated with a small increased risk of cardiac malformations, but evidence remains inconclusive. Fetal exposure to SSRIs closer to time of birth may result in respiratory, motor, central nervous system and gastrointestinal symptoms in about 10% to 30% of newborns (SSRI neonatal behaviour syndrome). These symptoms are usually mild and transient. Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn is an extremely rare consequence of fetal exposure. This information should be used to make individual risk-benefit decisions when considering the treatment of depression during pregnancy. Newborns with late-pregnancy exposure to SSRIs should be observed in hospital for at least 48 h.