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  • Title: Anxiety and depression in mothers related to severe malformation of the heart of the child and foetus.
    Author: Rona RJ, Smeeton NC, Beech R, Barnett A, Sharland G.
    Journal: Acta Paediatr; 1998 Feb; 87(2):201-5. PubMed ID: 9512209.
    Abstract:
    The aim of the study was to assess levels of anxiety and depression in three groups: pregnant mothers referred to foetal cardiology, subdivided into those with a confirmed diagnosis and those for which no abnormality was detected, and mothers who had a child with a heart malformation. Psychological status was measured between 6 and 10 months after diagnosis using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale in 108 females. Levels of anxiety were higher in the two groups with a confirmed diagnosis in the antenatal period or after birth (62%) than in those who were screened positively but in whom no abnormality was found (30%) (p = 0.0055). Anxiety was the highest in young females who had a foetus with a heart malformation. Depression scores were higher in those who had a child with heart malformation (18%) than in the other two groups (5%). Mothers who terminated a pregnancy after diagnosis remained depressed long after the event. Younger mothers may be especially vulnerable to mood problems associated with a traumatic obstetric experience.
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