Maternal OCD closely associated with adverse feto-maternal complications: Study

8 of the total 360 papers that were found were included in the meta-analysis.11 out of the twenty-four adverse outcomes for mothers and newborns that were evaluated were found to be associated with maternal OCD. These included pre-eclampsia (odds ratio [OR] 1.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19-1.57), postpartum hemorrhage (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.08-1.31), antepartum hemorrhage or placental abruption (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.13-1.54), emergency cesarean section (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.15-1.30), cesarean section delivery (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.23-1.41), preterm birth (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.21-1.64), low Apgar score at 5 minutes (OR 2.37, 95% CI 1.32-4.27), low birth weight (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.28-1.54), neonatal respiratory distress (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.44-2.16), neonatal hypoglycemia (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.23-1.53), and major congenital malformations (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.08-1.74).

Overall, the findings of this study clearly indicate the high risks associated with the maternal OCD to the developing fetus as well as the mother. Pregnant women should be treated well for OCD so that the possible harmful effects can be avoided for the safety of both the fetus and the mother.

Reference:

Aujla, S., Sandeep, M., Aparnavi, P., Padhi, B. K., Shamim, M. A., Sahoo, S., Gangane, N., & Gandhi, A. P. (2024). Effect of maternal obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD) on feto‐maternal outcomes: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. In International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijgo.15792