The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on peripartum affective psychopathology

INTRODUCTION: Despite COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacting mental health, few studies evaluated effects on perinatal mental health. OBJECTIVES: Therefore, we aimed at assessing pregnant and puerperal women during first and second COVID-19 waves. METHODS: 70 women (41 pregnant and 29 puerperal) consecutively afferent to our outpatient service for Perinatal Mental Health (March 2020-March 2021) were administered Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Fear of COVID-19 (FCV-19-S), Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) and Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience questionnaire (WDEQ). RESULTS: Women who reported last menstruation date (LMD) in 2019 second semester showed higher EPDS scores (p=0.026), those with estimated delivery date (EDD) in 2021 second semester showed higher CAS scores than those with EDD in 2020 first semester (p=0.020) or in 2021 first semester (p<0.001). Women with clinically significant EPDS Scores reported higher FCV-S-19 (p=0.005) and CAS (p=0.003). Subjects with a previous psychiatric hospitalization showed higher FCV-S-19 (p=0.003). A weak positive correlation (r=0,290; R2=0,084; p=0.015) has been observed between FCV-S-19 and EPDS. Furthermore, there was a strong positive correlation (r=0,377; R2=0,142; P=0.001) between CAS and EPDS and between CAS and FCV-S-19 (r=0,641; R2=0.410; p<0.001). All subjects showed high scores for tocophobia after experiencing delivery. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted pregnant and/or postpartum women also without a previous psychiatric condition. Early identification and screening tools should be routinely provided to all pregnant and postpartum women. DISCLOSURE: No significant relationships.