Fetal heart rate variability mediates prenatal depression effects on neonatal neurobehavioral maturity

Bárbara Figueiredo,Tiago Miguel Pinto,Alexandra Pacheco,Tiffany Field

doi:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2016.10.013

Bárbara Figueiredo, Tiago Miguel Pinto + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2016.10.013

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Journal: Biological psychology	Publication Date: Oct 29, 2016
Citations: 22	License type: other-oa

Affiliation: University of Minho, University of Miami

Abstract

This study analyzed the mediating role of fetal heart rate variability (FHR) on prenatal depression and neonatal neurobehavioral maturity. A sample of 104 pregnant women was recruited and divided into two groups according to their Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores (depressed/non-depressed). FHR variability in response to speech stimuli was assessed at term (between 37 and 39 weeks gestation). The neonates were then assessed on the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS) during the first 5days after birth. The fetuses of non-depressed pregnant women showed higher HR variability than the fetuses of depressed pregnant women in response to speech stimuli, and later as neonates they performed more optimally on the NBAS (on autonomic stability and total scores). FHR variability mediated the relationship between the mother’s prenatal depression and the neonatés NBAS performance. Prenatal depression effects on neonatal behavior may be partially explained by its adverse effects on fetal neurobehavioral maturity.

Highlights

This study analyzed the mediating role of fetal heart rate variability (FHR) on prenatal depression and neonatal neurobehavioral maturity
The independent t–test revealed a significant effect of prenatal depression on total FHR variability, t(83) = 2.59, p = 0.011
HR variability has been conceptually linked to nervous system maturation that results on a balance of parasympathetic and sympathetic innervation (Freeman, Garite, & Nageotte, 1991)

Summary

Introduction

This study analyzed the mediating role of fetal heart rate variability (FHR) on prenatal depression and neonatal neurobehavioral maturity. The fetuses of non-depressed pregnant women showed higher HR variability than the fetuses of depressed pregnant women in response to speech stimuli, and later as neonates they performed more optimally on the NBAS (on autonomic stability and total scores). On the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS), neonates of prenatally depressed mothers (at the second or third pregnancy trimester) showed less optimal performance on habituation, orientation, motor, range of state, autonomic stability, and depression scales (Field et al, 2004), on habituation, regulation of state, and range of state (Pacheco & Figueiredo, 2012), and on the orienting to face/voice stimulus, alertness, cuddliness, and handto-mouth activity items (Hernandez-Reif, Field, Diego, & Ruddock, 2006). Male newborns of prenatally depressed mothers at the third pregnancy trimester had lower scores than controls on the NBAS motor skills and regulation of states clusters in another study (Gerardin et al, 2011)

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