Is there an association between antenatal depression and low birth weight? A structured literature review
Item
- Title
- Is there an association between antenatal depression and low birth weight? A structured literature review
- Author(s)
- Ermogenous, S
- Abstract
- Background Low birth weight is one of the leading causes of infant morbidity, mortality, and disabilities worldwide. The cause of low birth weight is often unknown, but research has explored the possible effects of maternal depression on birth weight. There are differing results when examining this relationship, with some studies showing a positive correlation between antenatal depression and low birth weight, while others have found no association. Objective The objective was to assess the possible consequences of untreated maternal depression on low birth weight by collating and critically evaluating the evidence from the last four years. Furthermore, to evaluate potential implications for pregnant mothers and healthcare professionals. Design Structured literature review. Methods Four electronic databases were utilised to conduct a systematic search of research published between 2015 and 2019. Boolean Logic was applied. Search results were filtered according to the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Characteristic data and relevant outcomes were extracted. A methodological quality assessment was carried out using the SORT grading system. Impact factors of publishing journals were identified. Results Twenty-one eligible studies comprising 123,559 total participants were included. The modal SORT score was 1b with 61.9% of studies ranked medium to high quality, and 38.1% were of medium to low quality. The main outcome measure was infantile low birth weight. Incidence of antenatal depression was plotted against the incidence of low birth weight; the R2 value was 0.0326 suggesting that there is no relationship between the two variables. Discussion The result of no relationship is in contrast to previous systematic reviews that found positive associations between untreated antenatal depression and low birth weight. This may be due to inconsistencies in the depression screening tools used and the varying cut-off scores used to define depression. There is a possible overestimation of depression prevalence as the reported rates of depression are based on self-report questionnaires rather than clinical diagnostic interviews. Conclusion The findings in this review highlight that no associations were found between maternal depression and low birth weight. However, the overdiagnosis of maternal depression is an implication for pregnant mothers and healthcare professionals that may consequently lead to nocebo effects.
- presented at
- European School of Osteopathy
- Date Accepted
- 2020
- Date Submitted
- 28.10.2020 18:08:19
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 16658
- Inst-Identifier
- 1229
- Keywords
- Antenatal depression, Birth weight, Literature review, Low birth weight.
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Ermogenous, S, “Is there an association between antenatal depression and low birth weight? A structured literature review”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 3, 2025, https://www.osteopathic-research.com/s/orw/item/197