Is there any association between maternal depression and biophysical profile?

Abstract

Mother's mental health status during pregnancy has important effects on fetal growth and development. However, there are few studies concerning association of maternal depression and biophysical profile (BPP) of the fetus. We performed this research to know if maternal depression has any association with fetal BPP score. For measuring depression, Farsi version of Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was completed. A total of 100 pregnant women in their third trimester (> 24 weeks) who had not hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, eclampsia and preeclampsia, fever, infection, diabetes or a fetus with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and were not using any medication entered the study. Spearman correlation coefficient between the score of PHQ-9 questionnaire and BPP score was -0.08 (P = 0.43). Based on Kruskal Wallis test, there was no difference in BPP score of depressed and nondepressed women (P = 0.65). We found no relationship between maternal depression and BPP score in third trimester of pregnancy. Further studies for elucidating neuro-hormonal mechanisms related to the result of our study are suggested. é 2008 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.