What is a potential obstetric outcome associated with untreated major depression?

Untreated major depression during pregnancy can significantly affect a mother and her baby's health. One of the potential outcomes linked to untreated major depression is an increased incidence of low birth weight. This association arises because depression can lead to factors such as poor nutrition, inadequate prenatal care, and increased stress levels, all of which can impair fetal growth and development.

Low birth weight is defined as a birth weight of less than 2500 grams (5 pounds, 8 ounces), and it can increase the risk of various health complications for the infant, including respiratory issues, infections, and long-term developmental delays. Maternal depression can disrupt normal physiological processes during pregnancy, which can lead to adverse outcomes for the fetus.

In contrast, while untreated major depression can be associated with other complications, such as hypertensive disorders or cesarean deliveries, the direct and clear connection to low birth weight is particularly well-established in the literature around maternal mental health and its impact on pregnancy outcomes. The absence of a risk related to gestational diabetes indicates that untreated major depression does not correlate with a lower risk of this condition, further emphasizing the focus on the relationship between depression and low birth weight.