Perinatal depression symptoms impact on the Computerized Cardiotocography parameters: a prospective study
Abstract
Objective: The present study aims to investigate the possible computerized cardiotocography (cCTG) parameters alteration in patients with a high risk of Perinatal depression (PND), evaluated in the third trimester of pregnancy through the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study from 1st august 2024 to 20th august 2025. All pregnant women (after 30 gestational weeks) were included and performed cCTG and EPDS evaluation. On EPDS score, pregnant were divided into low-risk (score <10) or high-risk (score ≥10) groups. For all included pregnant demographic characteristics and cCTG parameters were recorded. The baseline characteristics and cCTG parameters were compared between groups. Results: 205 Pregnant were enrolled, and no statistical differences in demographic, obstetric, or fetal characteristics were found between the groups. There were no significant differences between high- and low-EPDS groups for any cCTG parameters including baseline fetal heart rate (p=0.39), short term variability (p=0.56), long-term variability (p=0.39), accelerations (p=0.69), and fetal movements (p=0.41). The correlation analyses showed that there was no linear association of EPDS scores to cCTG indices. Conclusions: Maternal depressive symptoms, in late gestation, did not impact cCTG-derived parameters. These results indicated that cCTG fetal surveillance was effective for pregnancies complicated by maternal depressive symptoms and suggested that maternal psychological symptoms and fetal monitoring are distinct, yet complementary aspects of perinatal care.
Keywords
Citation Information
@article{marcolaverde2026,
title={Perinatal depression symptoms impact on the Computerized Cardiotocography parameters: a prospective study},
author={Marco La Verde and Mario Luciano and Davide Pisani and Antonio Cerillo and Francesca Caparrotti and Lucia Pasquini and Mario Fordellone and Carlotta Brandi and Bianca Della Rocca and Marco Torella},
journal={Research Square},
year={2026},
doi={https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9022315/v1}
}
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