Knowledge | Study finds an association between mental health conditions in pregnancy and preterm birth risk
A study published in The Lancet Psychiatry found a significant association between women’s mental health conditions and preterm birth. Women with mental health conditions were up to 50% more likely to deliver prematurely than those without them.
Mental health conditions increase preterm birth risk
Based on an analysis of 2 million pregnancies in England, the study found that about 10% of women who had received mental health services experienced preterm birth, compared with 15% of women who had not received mental health services.
The study also found a close relationship between the severity of mental health conditions and adverse birth outcomes. Women who had been admitted to a psychiatric hospital, for example, were almost twice as likely to deliver prematurely as women who had never used mental health services.
Mental health history and other adverse birth outcomes
Women with a history of mental health conditions were also more likely to have babies whose birth weight was low for gestational age. There were about 75 low-birth-weight cases per 1,000 births among women with such a history, compared with 56 per 1,000 among women without mental health conditions.
Early intervention is essential
Lead author Dr. Louise Howard, professor of women’s mental health at King’s College London, told The Guardian that pregnant women should receive mental health assessments as early as possible. This could help reduce maternal death, stillbirth, preterm birth, and low birth weight.
Howard said: “Obstetric professionals usually focus on modifiable risk factors such as smoking and obesity, but may not realize that mental health conditions can also increase the risk of adverse outcomes such as preterm birth.”
She added: “Mental illness itself is likely associated with these outcomes because it affects stress systems and can lead to health problems. Mental health conditions are also often linked to other risk factors. A woman with a mental health condition may be more likely to smoke because of stress or may experience substance misuse. Social stressors such as domestic violence, childhood abuse, and poverty can also increase these risks.”
Conclusion: comprehensive assessment is essential during pregnancy
Dr. Howard emphasized that mental health assessment should be part of routine prenatal care to identify and address potential risks early and protect the health of pregnant women and fetuses.
Knowledge | Study finds an association between mental health conditions in pregnancy and preterm birth risk
Knowledge | Study finds an association between mental health conditions in pregnancy and preterm birth risk
A study published in The Lancet Psychiatry found a significant association between women’s mental health conditions and preterm birth. Women with mental health conditions were up to 50% more likely to deliver prematurely than those without them.
Mental health conditions increase preterm birth risk
Based on an analysis of 2 million pregnancies in England, the study found that about 10% of women who had received mental health services experienced preterm birth, compared with 15% of women who had not received mental health services.
The study also found a close relationship between the severity of mental health conditions and adverse birth outcomes. Women who had been admitted to a psychiatric hospital, for example, were almost twice as likely to deliver prematurely as women who had never used mental health services.
Mental health history and other adverse birth outcomes
Women with a history of mental health conditions were also more likely to have babies whose birth weight was low for gestational age. There were about 75 low-birth-weight cases per 1,000 births among women with such a history, compared with 56 per 1,000 among women without mental health conditions.
Early intervention is essential
Lead author Dr. Louise Howard, professor of women’s mental health at King’s College London, told The Guardian that pregnant women should receive mental health assessments as early as possible. This could help reduce maternal death, stillbirth, preterm birth, and low birth weight.
Howard said: “Obstetric professionals usually focus on modifiable risk factors such as smoking and obesity, but may not realize that mental health conditions can also increase the risk of adverse outcomes such as preterm birth.”
She added: “Mental illness itself is likely associated with these outcomes because it affects stress systems and can lead to health problems. Mental health conditions are also often linked to other risk factors. A woman with a mental health condition may be more likely to smoke because of stress or may experience substance misuse. Social stressors such as domestic violence, childhood abuse, and poverty can also increase these risks.”
Conclusion: comprehensive assessment is essential during pregnancy
Dr. Howard emphasized that mental health assessment should be part of routine prenatal care to identify and address potential risks early and protect the health of pregnant women and fetuses.
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