Objectives
Coronavirus (COVID‐19) is a new respiratory disease that is spreading widely throughout the world. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychological impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on pregnant women in Italy during the period of maximum spread of the virus.
Methods
We considered 200 pregnancies attending the antenatal clinic of Ospedale Cristo Re Università Roma Tor Vergata. A multisection questionnaire was sent by web to each included woman in the days of maximum spread of COVID 19 in Italy (8–10 March 2020). Part A was finalised to acquire imaternal characteristics and to test the women's perception of infection and their fears of fetal structural anomalies, growth restriction and preterm birth induced by COVID‐19. Part B included the State–trait anxiety inventory (STAI) 40 items validated test for scoring trait anxiety (basal anxiety, STAIT) and state anxiety (related to the ongoing pandemic, STAIS). An abnormal value of STAI was considered when ≥ 40.
Results
The questionnaire was completed by 178 women (89%). Fear that COVID‐19 could induce fetal structural anomalies was present in 47%, fetal growth restriction in 65% and preterm birth in 51% of the women. The median value of STAIT was 37 and in 38.2% of the study group STAIT score ≥40 was evidenced. STAIS values were significantly higher with an increase of median values of 12 points (p≤0.0001). There was a positive linear correlation between STAIT and STAIS (Pearson = 0.59; p≤0.0001). A higher educational status was associated with increased prevalence of STAIS ≥ 40(p = 0.004). Subgrouping women by the other variables considered did not show any further difference.
Conclusions
Our data support how a serious stressful event significantly increases anxiety levels in pregnant women. Indeed, in our setting COVID‐19 infection induces a doubling of the number of women who reached an abnormal level of anxiety. These findings validate the role of the remote use of questionnaire for identifying women at higher risk of anxiety disorders allowing support procedures on these subjects.