Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
Published on: June 13, 2021
Common mental disorders during pregnancy and adverse obstetric outcomes
Alexandre Faisal-Cury1, Ricardo Araya, Marcelo Zugaib
1Preventive Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. lim39@usp.br
Objective:
To estimate the association between common mental disorders (CMD) during pregnancy and risk of low birth weight (LBW) or preterm birth (PTB).
Methods:
A prospective cohort study was conducted with 831 pregnant women from antenatal clinics in primary healthcare in São Paulo, Brazil. The clinical interview schedule-revised and demographic questionnaires were administered between the 20th and 30th weeks of gestation. Information on infant weight and gestational age at birth were obtained from hospital records. Univariate analyses were used to examine the association between the main exposure and main outcomes. Statistical associations were examined with χ(2) tests. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the main outcomes were obtained using a multivariable logistic regression model.
Results:
The prevalence of CMD during gestation was 33.6 (95% CI: 30.4-36.9). The follow-up rate was 99.5%. Sixty three (7.6%) newborns were classified as LBW and 56 (6.9%) were classified as PTB. CMD during pregnancy was not associated with risk of PTB (adjusted OR:1.03, 95% CI: 0.57-1.88) or LBW (adjusted OR:1.09, 95% CI: 0.62-1.91).
Conclusions:
CMD prevalence is high among low-income and low-risk pregnant women attended by public health services in a middle-income country, but not confer an increased risk for adverse obstetric outcome.
Related Concept Videos
Disorders of the Female Reproductive System
Teratogenicity
Development of the Oral Microbiota
Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla. Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by anesthetizing...
Depression: Overview
