Work

Distinct effects of general psychological distress and COVID-19-specific fear during pregnancy on gestational age and infant birth weight

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Objective To disentangle the independent and shared contributions of maternal general psychological distress (GPD) and COVID-19-specific fear (CSF) during pregnancy to gestational age at birth and infant birth weight. Methods This study utilized secondary data from the prospective Canadian “Pregnancy during the COVID-19 Pandemic” cohort. The final analytic sample comprised 5,658 pregnant individuals. GPD was a latent variable indicated by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Anxiety scores. CSF was a latent variable indicated by three items assessing pandemic-related fears for self and baby. Structural equation modeling (SEM) examined associations with gestational age and birth weight, controlling for maternal age, income, and education. Results The SEM demonstrated good fit. Higher GPD independently predicted shorter gestational age (standardized β = –.048, p = .002) but not lower infant birth weight ( p = .632) after accounting for CSF. Higher CSF independently predicted both shorter gestational age (standardized β = –.058, p < .001) and lower infant birth weight (standardized β = –.058, p < .001), controlling for GPD and covariates. GPD and CSF were positively correlated (standardized covariance = .419, p < .001). Conclusion COVID-19-specific fear is a unique and significant risk factor for shorter gestational age and lower infant birth weight, distinct from general psychological distress. These findings highlight the need to assess and address pandemic-specific fears in perinatal populations to mitigate adverse birth outcomes during public health crises. Targeted interventions for specific fears may be necessary beyond general mental health support.

Source: Frontiers in Global Women s Health

DOI: 10.3389/fgwh.2026.1653126

Authors: Li Chen, Cheng-Han Li, Jing-Jing Xie, Qian-Nan Ruan, Bing Chen, Dong-Mei Lin

Institutions: Wenzhou City People's Hospital, Ruian People's Hospital, Wenzhou Seventh People's Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,077