Stress level and general mental state in Polish pregnant women during COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 pandemic may contribute to mental state worsening. Mental health disorders in pregnancy are known to have adverse outcomes both for mothers and their children. It is the first study in Poland to investigate the impact of the pandemic on stress level and general mental state in pregnant women. METHODS: Three hundred sixteen pregnant women completed an online survey containing four instruments. The main research questions were investigated with Bayesian regression analyses. RESULTS: We found that 37% of pregnant women presented with some mental state disorders and almost 46% with elevated emotional tension. Seventeen % had elevated stress level, 11% elevated intrapsychic stress level and 13% elevated outward stress level. Both 'being scared of lack of social support...' and 'being scared of infection...' have an impact on stress level, however the first factor is a more substantial stressor. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple pregnant women during the Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 pandemic presented with mental state disorders and elevated stress levels. As mental state disorders contribute to adverse neonatal outcomes and maternal mortality, it is imperative to focus on pregnant women's psychological and psychiatric conditions during the pandemic. It seems crucial to use screening tests to make early psychiatric diagnoses.

[Congenital Cytomegalovirus infection - still a relevant problem (based on own experience and literature)].

As far as infectious factors are concerned, Cytomegalovirus is considered one of the most common causes of progressive hearing impairment and neurological disorders among children. The increasing number of CMV infections creates the necessity of quick diagnosis and treatment that may reduce the consequences or even completely resolve the condition. It is essential that the diagnostic team consists of not only neonatologists but also obstetricians/perinatologists. In many countries, including Poland, screening is not being carried out among pregnant women, which delays the diagnosis and the begining of antiviral treatment or might even indispose the therapy.

Polish Adaption of Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire - Revised 2 (PRAQ-R2). / Polska adaptacja Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire ­ Revised 2 (PRAQ-R2).

AIM: To create a Polish adaption of the Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire - Revised 2 (PRAQ-R2), which is widely used abroad. METHODS: PRAQ-R2 was translated into Polish by independent bilingual speakers. Fortyeight pregnant women completed our survey containing the Polish version of PRAQ-R2, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale - Modified (HADS-M), and a short sociodemographic questionnaire. After a week, they were asked to complete the PRAQ-R2 questionnaire again. Parametric statistics were used to assess psychometric properties. RESULTS: Our study has shown a good test-retest correlation of 0.70. Participants completed the survey twice (in t1 and after one week - in t2). Cronbach's alpha was calculated as 0.847 at t1 and 0.895 at t2. There was a moderate correlation between PRAQ-R2 at both time points and the HADS-M scale and its subscales. CONCLUSIONS: Our Polish adaption of PRAQ-R2 has shown good validity and reliability. It has good internal consistency. Moderate correlation with HADS-M proves that pregnancyrelated anxiety (PrA) is a distinctive disorder from generalized anxiety disorder and depressive disorder. Given the great frequency and the burden of PrA, we believe that PRAQ-R2 should be routinely used among physicians working with pregnant patients.

Biological factors and consequences of pregnancy-related anxiety - What do we know so far? / Czynniki biologiczne i skutki zaburzen lekowych specyficznych dla ciazy ­ aktualny stan wiedzy.

This review aims to sum up the current knowledge about biological factors of pregnancy related anxiety (PrA) and the most common consequences for both mother and child, thereby identifying the most crucial concerns and suggesting the course of further research in this field. We pursued a literature review using PubMed. Scientists have shown a significant connection between prenatal anxiety and hormonal changes. These alterations include HPA-axis regulation, thyroid function, oxytocin, prolactin, and progesterone levels. PrA is proven to be a multifactorial condition. Several psychological factors correlate with it, e.g., insufficient social support, unplanned pregnancy, lack of physical activity, and a high level of distress. Although pregnancy is a significant change in one's life and may be a stressful event, it seems inadequate to believe that clinically relevant prenatal anxiety should be explained only by these psychological factors. Pregnancy-related anxiety is a common mental health disorder in pregnancy, and further studies are needed to minimize the risk of its severe consequences.