Stress In Pregnant Women Research Articles

Insomnia in response to stress in pregnant women: description of the problem, complications, identification of risk groups and therapeutic options

Insomnia is a major clinical problem in pregnant population, with almost 40% of women in the third trimester being affected. If left untreated, insomnia reduces the quality of life and increases the risk of other disorders, both somatic and mental. Sleep disorders can affect the course of pregnancy, delivery, and perinatal outcomes, as well as prevent the formation of a proper bond between mother and infant, which is crucial for the child’s further development. The term “sleep reactivity,” defining a certain tendency to exhibit sleep disturbance in response to a stressful stimulus, increasingly appears in literature. Sleep reactivity is a part of the body’s overall response to stress. It has been shown that high sleep reactivity can be a risk factor for chronic insomnia, which confirms its clinical significance. Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test (FIRST) is an available and easy-to-use tool to measure this tendency. Due to the high prevalence and multiple complications of pregnancy insomnia, it is worth using appropriate screening tools to diagnose the disorder during prenatal checkups with the attending physician. In the light of current medical knowledge, cognitive-behavioural therapy of insomnia is the method of choice and should be used in every symptomatic patient. The latest data also indicate its efficacy and safety in advanced pregnancy patients.

Self-Care Performance of Pregnant Women in Preventing COVID-19 Infection and Its Relationship with Perceived Stress.

Objective: To determine the status of self-care performance of pregnant women in the prevention of COVID-19 disease and its relationship with perceived stress during the epidemic period of this disease. Method : This cross-sectional study was performed on 228 pregnant women who referred to the health centers in Tabriz, Iran, for prenatal care. They were selected by cluster sampling. Data collection tools included questionnaires about Demographic-Social Characteristics, the Self-Care Performance Questionnaire and Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale. Spearman correlation test was used to examine the correlation between self-care performance and perceived stress in bivariate and multivariate analyses. Also, multivariate linear regression was used, with control of demographic-social and obstetric characteristics as possible confounders. Results: The median (25-75 percentiles) self-care performance score of participants was 0.71 (0.65-0.76), from the achievable range of 20-80, and its mean (± SD) perceived stress score was 25.5 (± 5.6), from the achievable range of 0-56. The Spearman's rank correlation test results showed a significant inverse correlation between perceived stress and self-care performance scores (r = -0.13; P = 0.041). According to multivariate linear regression test, the variables of self-care performance, education, spouse's education and number of family members were the predictors of perceived stress in pregnant women during the COVID-19 epidemic. Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, self-care performance of pregnant women in prevention of the COVID-19 disease was good and their stress was moderate. There was a significant inverse correlation between self-care performance and perceived stress that could indicate the high value and importance of the fetus for the mother and her strict adherence to health protocols to prevent COVID-19, which also leads to calming and reduced perceived stress.

Factors influencing perceived stress in pregnant women during cyclones in Queensland, Australia

ObjectivesDuring natural disasters, pregnant women are at risk of experiencing stress related pregnancy complications. This study explores factors influencing perceived stress reported by 90 women surveyed about their pregnancy during cyclones in Queensland, Australia. MethodsPerceived stress was measured using the 10 item Perceived Stress Scale and objective hardship using the Traumatic Stress Schedule. Maternal characteristics were captured using validated questions pilot tested for reliability and validity. Hierarchical linear regression was used to test factors across three analysis blocks (maternal sociodemographic characteristics, mediating factors, and objective hardship). The effect of factor interactions was tested both within and between analysis blocks. ResultsSeparate factors were found to have no significant effect on perceived stress. However, a significant moderating effect was found between maternal country of birth and experiences of objective hardship. Perceived stress levels were higher for mothers born in New Zealand who also experienced cyclone stressors (β = 0.48, p = 0.014), and mothers born in the United Kingdom/Western Europe who experienced non-cyclone stressors (β = 0.44, p = 0.014) and pregnancy complications (β = 0.43, p = 0.011). ConclusionRecall and sampling bias may influence perceived stress reported. However, mothers migrating to a different country are at a higher risk of experiencing disaster stressors. This can be due to limited social networks and access to resources. Identifying additional vulnerabilities within an existing disaster priority group supports informed risk mitigation.

Giving green grass jelly for mda (malondialdehyde) level in pregnant women with hypertension

<p align="center"><strong><em> </em></strong></p><p><strong><em>Background:</em></strong><em> Hypertension is a disease that often occurs during pregnancy. Many factors influence the occurrence of hypertension, one of which is oxidative stress. Oxidative stress has an important role in the pathogenesis of hypertension in pregnancy and may be a pathway that can lead to tissue damage. Oxidative stress can stimulate the release of cytokines, antiangiogenic, microparticles and other important molecules in hypertension. Oxidative stress is caused by an imbalance of prooxidants and antioxidants. So we need antioxidants that can suppress oxidative stress in pregnant women with hypertension. Green grass jelly contains alkaloids and flavonoids. Where flavonoids can act as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory. Flavonoids can reduce arterial stiffness making Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) decrease so that fat peroxide decreases and is followed by decreased oxidative stress, then endothelial function will increase and vasodilation occurs. Malondialdehyde (MDA) is an aldehyde marker compound that is important to see lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage caused by Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS).</em></p><p><strong><em>Objectives:</em></strong><em> To prove that giving green grass jelly has an effect on reducing oxidative stress in pregnant women.</em></p><p><strong><em>Methods</em></strong><em>: This study used a quasy experiment with a pretest and posttest control design. A sample of 30 was divided into 2 groups. The group with green grass jelly intervention was 15 people who were given green grass jelly as much as 150 grams per day for 14 days. The second group as many as 15 people as the control group.</em></p><p><strong><em>Results:</em></strong><em> The green grass jelly intervention group had a significant difference with p-value <0.05. For malondialdehyde results in the control group there was no change in p-value > 0.05. The mean decrease in malondialdehyde levels in the control group was 0.0560 nmol/ml while the average decrease in malondialdehyde in the intervention group was 1.3133 nmol/ml.</em></p><strong><em>Conclusions:</em></strong><em> Green grass jelly is effective and significant for reducing malondialdehyde levels in pregnant women with mild hypertension.</em>

Variability, determinants, and associations with oxidative stress biomarkers of pentachlorophenol among Chinese pregnant women: A longitudinal study

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) is ubiquitous and moderately persistent in the environment, and it is an identified human carcinogen. Previous animal experiments indicate that toxic mechanisms of PCP include oxidative stress. However, no epidemiological study has reported the association between PCP exposure and oxidative stress; such association in pregnant women, a vulnerable population, is of particular interest. This study aimed to characterize PCP concentrations in 2304 urine samples from 768 pregnant women, explore its determinants, and evaluate the associations between PCP exposure and three oxidative stress biomarkers across three trimesters. The median concentrations of PCP (100% detected) in the first, second, and third trimester were 0.61, 0.59, and 0.48 ng/mL, respectively, with a significant decrease trend. The intraclass correlation coefficient of specific gravity (SG)-adjusted PCP was 0.26, indicating high variability for PCP across the three trimesters. PCP concentrations were significantly higher in older, pre-pregnancy overweight, multiparous, high-income, and employed women during pregnancy. Urinary PCP was markedly lower in samples collected during spring compared to other seasons. Linear mixed effect models for repeated measures revealed that ln-transformed SG-adjusted PCP was significantly associated with increased 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG; percent change [%Δ] caused by each interquartile range increase of PCP: 46.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 40.2, 52.5) and 8-hydroxyguanosine (8-OHG;%Δ [95% CI]: 44.8 [40.1, 49.8]), but the positive association with 4-hydroxy2-nonenal-mercapturic acid (HNE-MA) was not significant. PCP was also positively associated with increased 8-OHdG and 8-OHG in each trimester using general linear models, and its associations with HNE-MA were only significant at T1 (%Δ [95% CI]: 19.1 [1.05, 40.3]) and T2 (%Δ [95% CI]: 12.6 [0.32, 26.3]). Our findings provide valuable information about PCP exposure characteristics during pregnancy and the potential effects of PCP exposure on oxidative stress in pregnant women.

Association between social support and pregnancy stress: a cross-sectional study of neighbors’ interactions

BackgroundPregnancy is associated with substantial stressful experiences. There are controversies concerning the positive and negative roles of social support during pregnancy. This research aimed to study the association of social support with the pregnancy-related stress.MethodsIn the current cross-sectional research, 200 pregnant women were recruited through convenience sampling from two teaching hospitals affiliated with Babol University of Medical Sciences and a private obstetric clinic. The women completed two self-reported questionnaires during prenatal care appointments. The questionnaires included the Revised Prenatal Distress Questionnaire (NuPDQ) and Social Support Questionnaire (SSQ).ResultsA significantly positive association was observed between the social support of neighbors and the total score of pregnancy stress (P<0.001), as well as the scores of its four subscales, namely medical problems (P<0.001), parenting (P=0.25), infant health stress (P=0.006), and pregnancy symptoms (P=0.001). Based on the linear regression models, the social support of neighbors was significantly related to the medical problem-associated stress in pregnant women (β = 0.147, 95% CI: 0.14 to 0.62, p = 0.047), pregnancy symptom (β = 0.203, 95% CI: −0.01 to 0.327, p = 0.017), and fear of childbirth (β = 0.164, 95% CI: 0.05 to 0.38, p = 0.046). Furthermore, the neighbors’ social support (β = 0.172, 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.32, p = 0.04) and the total score of social support (β = 0.155, 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.304, p = 0.046) were significantly associated with the total score of pregnancy stress.ConclusionsNeighbors’ support, as a component of social support, was found to be significantly related to pregnancy stress. This study recommends that healthcare providers consider the positive and negative impacts of social support during the pregnancy period.

The influence of pica practice on nutritional status, stress and anxiety of pregnant women

Pica is a minor disorder in pregnancy associated with strong craving for food or non -food substances of little or no nutritional value. ObjectiveThe study assesses the characteristics of pica practice among pregnant women and evaluates its influence on the nutritional status, anxiety and stress of pregnant women. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women attending the antenatal unit of a tertiary care hospital in Chennai, India. Pregnant women took a survey for presence of pica practice. Women with pica practice were assessed for dietary information, haemoglobin, pre-pregnant body mass index and stool analysis. Women's anxiety and stress were assessed using Beck anxiety inventory scale and Lipp Stress Inventory Scale. ResultsOut of 739 pregnant women screened, 220 (29.7%) women were found to practice pica. Of the 220 women, 42.2% ingested food substances, 41% ingested non-food substance and 16.8% consumed both. The most common substances craved for were: unripe mango (42.2%), pagophagia (23.8%), ash (41%) and geophagia (19%). Amongst the women with pica, 67.3% women had anaemia, 36% were underweight and 9.5% were overweight. About 40% women had low anxiety, 43% had moderate anxiety and 17% had severe anxiety. Distribution of women based on phases of stress found 15.4% in alert phase, 65% in resistance phase, 1.4% in near exhaustion phase, and 18.2% in exhaustions phase. ConclusionThe study identified that pica practice is not limited to ingestion of edible substances alone. Women practicing pica during pregnancy had anaemia, increased levels of stress and anxiety.

No association between perinatal mood disorders and hypertensive pregnancies.

Mental health disorders such as anxiety and/or depression are the most common mental health disorders seen among reproductive aged women and can increase during pregnancy. Many sociodemographic risk factors have been associated with anxiety and/or depression in pregnancy, which can lead to adverse maternal and infant outcomes including the risk of a hypertensive pregnancy. The current study prospectively examined self-reported anxiety, depression and stress in pregnant women without a history of fetal loss or mood disorders beginning at 20–26 weeks. At each study visit, circulating immune factors associated with perinatal mood disorders were measured in blood samples that were collected. A total of 65 women were eligible for data analysis, 26 of which had hypertensive pregnancies. There was not a significant difference in self-reported depression, anxiety or stress between hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and normotensive women. Black women were more likely to have a hypertensive pregnancy and develop a perinatal mood disorder compared to non-black women. Both the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-17 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were increased in patients with perinatal mood disorders. However, additional research is needed in a larger sample to truly understand the relationship between these factors along with the underlying etiologies and the associated outcomes.

Factors contributing to stress in pregnant women and its Outcome-A Narrative Review

A pregnant woman who is stressed during her pregnancy, her child is likely to have emotional, cognitive, behavioural problems in the future. The aim of this review was to have an understanding of stress and its impact on pregnant women and their unborn children. Google Scholar and PubMed were utilized for selecting 20 papers written in the English language. Through this narrative review, it was found that maternal stress was related to a number of factors and it affects the emotional, psycho-behavioural aspects of the child. Hence, awareness on part of the health care providers is essential.

Semiparametric analysis of a generalized linear model withmultiple covariates subject to detection limits.

Studies on the health effects of environmental mixtures face the challenge of limit of detection (LOD) in multiple correlated exposure measurements. Conventional approaches to deal with covariates subject to LOD, including complete-case analysis, substitution methods, and parametric modeling of covariate distribution, are feasible but may result in efficiency loss or bias. With a single covariate subject to LOD, a flexible semiparametric accelerated failure time (AFT) model to accommodate censored measurements has been proposed. We generalize this approach by considering a multivariate AFT model for the multiple correlated covariates subject to LOD and a generalized linear model for the outcome. A two-stage procedure based on semiparametric pseudo-likelihood is proposed for estimating the effects of these covariates on health outcome. Consistency and asymptotic normality of the estimators are derived for an arbitrary fixed dimension of covariates. Simulations studies demonstrate good large sample performance of the proposed methods vs conventional methods in realistic scenarios. We illustrate the practical utility of the proposed method with the LIFECODES birth cohort data, where we compare our approach to existing approaches in an analysis of multiple urinary trace metals in association with oxidative stress in pregnant women.

Meta-Analysis the Effect of Prenatal Yoga to Lower Anxiety and Stress in Intrapartum Women

Background: Pregnant women are very susceptible to complications or high risk during pregnancy, especially before delivery, causing anxiety and stress. Prenatal yoga is known to relax breathing which can relax muscles and reduce anxiety. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of prenatal yoga on pregnant women on anxiety and stress in the face of labor. Subjects and Method: This study was a meta-analysis with the following PICO, population: pregnant women. Intervention: prenatal yoga. Comparison: not doing prenatal yoga. Result: reduced stress and anxiety. Keywords to search for articles “Prenatal Yoga” OR “Pregnancy yoga” AND “Anxiety” AND “Stress” AND “randomized controlled trial”. The articles included are full-text English and a randomized controlled trial study design from 2009-2021. Article selection is done by using PRISMA flow diagram. Articles were analyzed using the Review Manager 5.3 application. Results: A total of 12 RCT studies from the Asian, American and European continents were selected for systematic review and meta-analysis. Based on 9 articles stated that pregnant women who do prenatal yoga can reduce anxiety about childbirth by 0.86 times compared to not doing prenatal yoga (SMD = -0.86; 95% CI -1.50 to -0.21; p= 0.010) and 5 articles state that pregnant women those who do prenatal yoga can reduce stress during childbirth by 1.23 times compared to those who do not do prenatal yoga (SMD= -1.23; 95% CI= -1.59 to -0.87; p&lt; 0.001). Conclusion: Prenatal yoga can reduce anxiety and stress in pregnant women in the face of childbirth. Keywords: anxiety, stress, pregnancy, prenatal yoga Correspondence: Adetya Wulandari. Master’s Program in Public Health, Universitas Sebelas Maret. Jl. Ir. Sutami 36A, Surakarta 57126, Central Java, Indonesia. Mobile: 081274814357. Email: Adetya1507@gmail.com.

Visceral Therapy and Physical Activity for Selected Dysfunctions, with Particular Emphasis on Locomotive Organ Pain in Pregnant Women-Importance of Reducing Oxidative Stress.

Movement is a physiological phenomenon and a fundamental aspect of the living human body in a global context (e.g., musculoskeletal system function) and local one (e.g., visceral system function). The local activity of the body is expressed in the rhythm of pulsations, peristalsis and vibrations. Visceral therapy supports movement, articulation and tissue rhythm. The use of visceral treatment for pain is complementary and is relevant for pregnant women. Maintaining the mobility and motility of internal organs by means of visceral techniques can regulate anatomical relations and physiological processes within the urogenital diaphragm. The role of physical activity is also important. A scoping review was conducted to analyze the relevant literature on pain in pregnant women, the role of visceral therapy in pregnant women and oxidative stress. Eligible articles presented aspects of the occurrence of pain in locomotive organs in pregnant women, the use of visceral therapy in pain management, and the reduction of oxidative stress. The use of visceral therapy and physical activity in the treatment of pain is complementary and also important for pregnant women, and so may have an effect on reducing oxidative stress in pregnant women.

Maternal Chronic Perceived Stress, but Not Acute Stress Exposure, Is Associated With Ghrelin Levels Among Hispanic Pregnant Women With Overweight or Obesity

ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to test the effects of maternal chronic and acute psychological stress on plasma ghrelin levels among pregnant women with overweight or obesity.MethodsN = 33 Hispanic women without diabetes and a pre-pregnancy BMI of 25.0–34.9 Kg/m2 participated in a crossover study at 28–32 weeks’ gestation. Perceived stress levels over the past month were assessed by the Perceived Stress Scale. Women attended the lab in the fasted state on two separate days and consumed a breakfast shake immediately after a fasting blood and saliva sample collection on each visit, followed by a 15 minute task: friendly conversation (control) on visit 1 or the standardized Trier Social Stress Test on visit 2 to elicit acute stress. Six postprandial blood and saliva samples were collected at intervals up to 2 hours post-prandial and assayed for ghrelin and cortisol, respectively. The area-under-the-curve (AUC) for ghrelin and cortisol were computed. Differences in ghrelin AUC between visits were compared by paired t-tests and repeated measures ANOVA adjusting for gestational age at visit 2. Associations between perceived stress scores with fasting and ghrelin AUC, and between cortisol AUC and ghrelin AUC following acute stress exposure were analyzed by linear regression, adjusting for gestational age.ResultsPerceived stress score was positively associated with ghrelin levels both in the fasted (beta = 0.06, p = 0.02, 95% CI = 0.01, 0.12) and postprandial state (beta = 0.05, p = 0.02, 95% CI = 0.01, 0.09), which remained significant after adjusting for gestational age. Mean ghrelin AUC following a meal was lower after acute stress compared to the control condition (10.19 ± 0.37 vs 10.24 ± 0.40, p = 0.03), but this difference was not significant after adjusting for gestational age (p = 0.59). Salivary cortisol reactivity to acute stress was also not associated with ghrelin AUC (beta = −0.02, p = 0.92, 95% CI = −0.38, 0.35).ConclusionsChronic perceived stress in pregnant women with overweight and obesity may contribute to higher ghrelin levels both in the fasted state and after consuming a meal. Postprandial ghrelin is not affected by acute stress exposure in this population of women in the third trimester of pregnancy.Funding SourcesNational Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

Oxidative Stress in Pregnant Women and Low Birth Weight

Oxidative Stress in Pregnant Women and Low Birth Weight

Perceived Stress Positively Relates to Insomnia Symptoms: The Moderation of Resilience in Chinese Pregnant Women During COVID-19.

BackgroundThe government’s COVID-19 pandemic response lockdown strategy had a negative psychological and physical impact on individuals, which necessitated special care to pregnant women’s mental health. There has been no large-scale research on the underlying relationship between perceived stress and insomnia symptoms in pregnant Chinese women up to this point. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we wanted to see if there was an association between perceived stress and insomnia symptoms, as well as the moderating impact of resilience for Chinese pregnant women.MethodsThis cross-sectional study examined 2115 pregnant women from central and western China using multi-stage sampling methodologies. A systematic questionnaire was used to collect information on sleep quality, perceived stress, and resilience using the Insomnia Severity Index, Perceptual Stress Scale, and Connor and Davidson Resilience Scale. To assess the moderating influence of resilience, hierarchical regressions were used.ResultsDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, 18.53% of respondents (N = 2115) reported experiencing sleeplessness. In pregnant women, perceived stress was positively linked with insomnia symptoms (p < 0.001). Furthermore, resilience significantly attenuated the influence of perceived stress on insomnia symptoms in Chinese expectant mother (βinteraction = −0.0126, p < 0.001).ConclusionPregnant women with strong resilience were less influenced by perceived stress than those with poor resilience. The findings of this study might give empirical proof that health care professionals should identify the relevance of reducing perceived stress in pregnant women with poor resilience and provide better treatment and support when necessary.

Anxiety, Stress, and Social Support in Pregnant Women in the Province of Leon during COVID-19 Disease.

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a high risk to the mental health of the entire population. Pregnant women are strongly affected by the consequences of COVID-19, resulting in increased anxiety and stress. Social support can be a protective factor when it comes to mental health disturbances such as anxiety, fear, or stress in pregnant women. This research aims to describe the anxiety and stress of women in the first trimester of pregnancy in times of pandemic and its relationship with social support. A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 115 women in the first trimester of pregnancy participated. Anxiety was found in 78.3% of the women. Self-perceived stress correlated significantly with the dimensions “concern for changes in oneself”, “feelings about oneself”, “concern about the future”, and very weakly with social support. In addition, a negative correlation was observed between “feelings about oneself” and social support. During the COVID-19 pandemic, anxiety levels of women in our population are elevated. Pregnant women during the first trimester of pregnancy showed higher levels of fear of childbirth and concern about the future than multiparous women. Increased social support and decreased stress seem to influence “feeling about oneself”.

Validation of stress assessment instruments related to the COVID-19 pandemic in pregnant women

Background: The Pandemic Related Pregnancy Stress Scale (PREPS) is an instrument that assesses pandemic-related stress in pregnant women. Objective: This study aimed to validate the Indonesian version of the Pandemic Related Pregnancy Stress Scale (PREPS). Methods: Validation procedures include forward and backward translation, pretest and cognitive interview, construct validity test, and instrument reliability test. Pregnant women involved in this study agreed to participate with informed consent. Results: The results of the construct validity test showed that each item of the PREPS questionnaire statement had an rcount &gt; rtable (α=0.01; df=28), starting from the lowest 0.562 to the largest 0.847, with an rtable value (α=0.01; df = 28) equal to 0.3610. The Cronbach's alpha value of 0.841 indicates good reliability of the scale. Conclusion: The Indonesian version of the PREPS is valid and has good reliability.

Psychological problems and increased stress in pregnant women in the prevalence of Omicron variant

Psychological problems and increased stress in pregnant women in the prevalence of Omicron variant

Factors influencing pregnancy stress in pregnant women in Korea: a cross-sectional study

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between maternal knowledge and social support on pregnancy stress among pregnant women in Korea. The participants in this study were 148 pregnant women in Korea, recruited from online communities on pregnancy and/or childbirth, from June 2019 to April 2020. The collected data were analyzed using the independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple regression. Participants were at average 18.25±8.28 weeks gestation, 56% were in the second trimester, 31% had one or more health issues in the current pregnancy (e.g., hyperemesis gravidarum), and 76% were first-time mothers. Participants had moderate levels of pregnancy stress (mean, 23.09±7.11 points out of 48) and maternal knowledge (mean, 14.42±4.67 points out of 21), whereas social support was somewhat high (mean 45.88±7.81 points out of 60). Pregnancy stress was weakly negatively correlated with social support (r=-.37, p<.001). Main source of pregnancy information (β=-.21, p=.011), marital satisfaction (β=-.18, p=.036), and social support (β=-.19, p=.038) were identified as significant factors affecting pregnancy stress, and these variables had an explanatory power of 22.7% for pregnancy stress. Based on these findings, nurses should assess pregnancy-related stress during pregnancy and consider main source of pregnancy information and marital satisfaction when providing education or counseling. Moreover, strategies to reduce pregnancy stress through social support are needed to improve the quality of life for pregnant women.

Assessment of genotoxicity and oxidative stress in pregnant women contaminated to organochlorine pesticides and its correlation with pregnancy outcome

The present study was aimed to assess the correlation between transplacental transfer of xenobiotics and resulting biochemical alterations (including genotoxicity and oxidative stress) in non-occupational pregnant women of North India along with the effect on pregnancy outcomes. Maternal and cord blood samples were collected from 221 healthy mother-infant couples and divided according to their gestational age and birth weight. Genotoxic effects in mother and cord blood were examined using comet assay. The quantitative determination of Organo-chlorine pesticides in blood serum of study population was carried out using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Notably higher Organo-chlorine pesticides levels were observed in maternal blood of preterm than term subjects for almost all of the compounds detected, with the maximum concentration found for aldrin (3.26mg/l) in maternal blood and dieldrin (2.69mg/l) in cord blood. The results showed a significant increment in olive tail moment, tail full length, catalase, super-oxide dismutase, and malondialdehyde levels whereas lower glutathione reductase and peroxidase were found in preterm babies when compared with term group and it varied in the order: maternal blood>cord blood. A clear trend was observed for preterm babies with their lower birth weight and cesarean mode of delivery. Therefore, reduction in birth weight in newborns may be the consequence of increased oxidative damage and genotoxicity brought about by pesticides and these markers could be employed for early detection of pesticides related ailments and toxicities. To the best of our knowledge, this was a pioneering study and it may help to increase our knowledge with regard to xenobiotic exposure in biological system and the need for stringent guidelines for agricultural use of pesticides.