The effects of maternal major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic disorder on birth weight and gestational age: A comparative study

Objective: The present study comparatively examined the impact of maternal major depression, generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder on gestational age and birth weight. Methods: A total of 90 women (24 subjects with major depression, 19 subjects with panic disorder, 22 subjects with generalized anxiety disorder, and 25 healthy subjects) in the perinatal period who were admitted to three hospitals were included in the study. Psychiatric diagnoses were determined by means of the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. The birth weight and gestational age of the subjects in each groups were compared with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: There were significant differences among the study groups for birth weight and gestational age (P < 0.001 for both variables). These parameters were significantly lower in the subjects with major depression (P = 0.021 and P = 0.015, respectively) and panic disorder (P < 0.001 for both variables) compared to healthy controls. Compared with major depression, panic disorder was associated more negatively with birth weight (P = 0.036). Conclusion: Major depression, and especially panic disorder, may negatively affect the gestational length and birth weight. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.