Association between antenatal depression and adverse perinatal outcomes: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Antenatal depression might cause adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, previous study results were inconsistent, especially in the low- and middle- income countries. We aimed to study the association between antenatal depression and adverse perinatal outcomes in a Chinese population. METHODS: We performed a prospective cohort study and enrolled pregnant women from January 2020 to January 2021. Antenatal depressive symptoms in the third trimester of pregnancy were evaluated by the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS). Baseline characteristics and pregnancy outcomes were recorded. After adjusting for confounding factors (age, occupation, education level, and annual income), multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to evaluate the associations between antenatal depression and pregnancy outcomes. RESULTS: Among the 5209 participants, 1448 (27.7 %) pregnant women were positive for depression. After adjusting for potential confounders, women with antenatal depressive symptoms were significantly more likely to deliver prematurely [Odds ratio (OR) = 1.404, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 1.020-1.933, P = 0.037] and receive cesarean section (OR = 1.154, 95 % CI = 1.002-1.331, P = 0.048). LIMITATIONS: EPDS, not a structured diagnostic interview, was used for psychological assessment. In addition, we only screened the women in their third trimester in a single research center. The association between the duration of antenatal depression and perinatal outcomes was not evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: Depressive symptoms were common among Chinese women in their third trimester of pregnancy. Women with antenatal depressive symptoms had increased cesarean section and preterm delivery risks. Screening and treatment for antenatal depression are needed during the prenatal care.

Behavioral Responses of Pregnant Women to the Early Stage of COVID-19 Pandemic in the Network Era in China: Online Questionnaire Study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the behavioral responses of pregnant women during the early stage of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. METHODS: We recruited 1,099 women to complete an online questionnaire survey from February 10 to February 25, 2020. The subjects were divided into two groups (the pregnant women group and the control group). RESULTS: Concerns about infection: most of the participants watched the COVID-19 news at least once a day. Protective behaviors: the utilization rate of pregnant women (often using various measures) was higher than that of nonpregnant women. Exercise: 30.6% of the pregnant women continued to exercise at home, whereas in the control group, this percentage was 8.4%. Spouse relationship: 38.8% of the subjects' relationship improved, whereas only 2.3% thought the relationship was getting worse. CONCLUSION: Pregnant women had some unique behavioral responses different from that of nonpregnant women. It is important to understand the behavioral responses of pregnant women in this network era.

Case report of adjunctive use of olanzapine with an antidepressant to treat sleep paralysis.

Sleep paralysis (SP) is a condition of unknown etiology that usually occurs when falling asleep or when awakening in which the individual remains conscious but is unable to control their voluntary movements. This case report is about a 68-year-old man with a 40-year history of symptoms of SP and associated panic attacks upon awakening. Neurological examination and neuroimaging identified no abnormalities. Five years before the current evaluation he had been diagnosed with depression and treated with various anti-depressants which ameliorated, but did not cure, his SP. However, this 40-year history of SP was abruptly terminated - and did not return over the subsequent two years - after adjunctive treatment with 2.5 mg olanzapine each night was added to his antidepressant.