DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2015.v03i07.032

Pages: 2594-2603

A number of studies have suggested an association between maternal depression and adverse obstetric outcome. This study was conducted to describe the obstetric outcome of mothers with depressive symptoms and the factors associated with maternal depression. A hospital based prospective cohort study was conducted in professorial obstetrics unit, North Colombo teaching hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka. Eligible mothers between 28 to 34 weeks were recruited for the study. Presence of depression was assessed by validated Sinhala translation of Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. (EPDS) Depressed and non depressed cohorts were followed up till delivery and the outcomes were compared. Six hundred and seventy mothers were screened and 14.9% (n=100) found to be having depressive symptoms. Significantly higher proportion of depressed cohort had a history of preterm delivery than non depressed cohort (18.00%, 95%CI 11.7-26.7 Vs 3.86% 95%CI 2.0-7.44). Significantly higher proportion of depressed cohort had antenatal anaemia than non depressed (22% 95 CI 15-31.1 vs 11.1 % CI 7.5-16.1). After analyzing the variance of all the confounding factors, the birth weight was found to be low for mothers with depressive symptoms. There was a statistical significant difference in the birth weight of term babies between two groups (p<0.05).There was no significant difference in Mode Of Delivery (MOD)and the requirement for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (N) admission of neonates between two groups. Depressive symptoms during pregnancy are associated with reduction of birth weight.