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Journals / Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine / 2026 / Volume: 8 Issue: 5

Does first trimester prenatal screening impact on maternal anxiety? A prospective cohort study

Birinci trimester prenatal tarama maternal anksiyete üzerinde etkili midir? Prospektif bir kohort çalışması

Ömer Gökhan Eyisoy0000-0003-0869-4660
Kemal Sandal0009-0001-3357-4786
Pages
—
Publication Date
2025-09-16
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⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Patients with positive test results had higher state anxiety scores after first-trimester screening and counselling (STAI-Ib), compared to pre-screening scores (STAI-Ia) (40.00±7.26 vs. 43.25±7.38, p=0.003). 75% of the patients with positive test results demonstrated a probable clinical anxiety score.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Aims: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the anxiety levels of pregnant women who were admitted for combined first trimester screening test, and to determine the effect of screening results on maternal anxiety.
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Key Findings & Data:Methods: The present study was carried out prospectively between March and June 2025, and comprised 148 pregnant women.
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Conclusion & Impact:Patients with positive test results had higher state anxiety scores after first-trimester screening and counselling (STAI-Ib), compared to pre-screening scores (STAI-Ia) (40.00±7.26 vs. 43.25±7.38, p=0.003). 75% of the patients with positive test results demonstrated a probable clinical anxiety score.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:2025 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Maternal anxiety · first trimester screening · down syndrome

Abstract

Aims: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the anxiety levels of pregnant women who were admitted for combined first trimester screening test, and to determine the effect of screening results on maternal anxiety. Methods: The present study was carried out prospectively between March and June 2025, and comprised 148 pregnant women. The Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was utilised in order to evaluate the participants’ state (STAI-I) and trait (STAI-II) anxiety levels. The STAI-Ia and STAI-II were administered to participants at their first admission, and first-trimester screening was performed. Following the counselling of first trimester screening results the State Anxiety Index (STAI-Ib) was re-administered to the participants. Changes in participants’ anxiety levels were evaluated. Results: The mean pre-screening state anxiety scores (STAI-Ia) of the patients were higher than their trait anxiety scores (STAI-II) (39.80±6.08 and 36.68±4.70 respectively; p<0.001). A total of 12 patients (13.9%) exhibited positive results in their first trimester screening tests. Patients with positive test results had higher state anxiety scores after first-trimester screening and counselling (STAI-Ib), compared to pre-screening scores (STAI-Ia) (40.00±7.26 vs. 43.25±7.38, p=0.003). 75% of the patients with positive test results demonstrated a probable clinical anxiety score. In patients with negative test result, state anxiety scores reduced compared to pre-sceening scores (39.79±6.00 vs. 36.93±5.27, p<0.001). Conclusion: Admission for first trimester screening has been shown to induce state anxiety in the patients. Social and psychological support should be provided to prevent the negative effects of maternal anxiety, especially in patients with positive screening results.

Özet

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı, birinci trimester kombine Down sendromu taraması için başvuran gebelerin anksiyete düzeylerini değerlendirmek ve tarama sonuçlarının annenin anksiyetesi üzerindeki etkisini belirlemektir... Yöntemler: Bu çalışma Mart ve Haziran 2025 tarihleri arasında prospektif olarak gerçekleştirilmiş olup 158 gebe kadını kapsamaktadır. Katılımcıların durumluk (STAI-I) ve sürekli (STAI-II) kaygı düzeylerini değerlendirmek için Spielberger Durumluk-Sürekli Kaygı Envanteri kullanılmıştır. Katılımcılara ilk başvurularında STAI-Ia ve STAI-II uygulanmış ve birinci trimester taraması yapılmıştır. İlk trimester tarama sonucu danışmanlığının ardından katılımcılara durumluk kaygı endeksi (STAI-Ib) tekrar uygulanmıştır. Katılımcıların kaygı düzeylerindeki değişimler değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular: Hastaların tarama öncesi ortalama durumluk kaygı puanları (STAI-Ia), sürekli kaygı puanlarından (STAI-II) daha yüksekti (39,77±6,03 ve 36,61±4,63; p<0,001). Toplam 22 hastanın (%13,9) ilk trimester tarama testleri pozitif sonuç vermiştir. Tarama sonuçları pozitif olan hastaların birinci trimester tarama ve danışmanlık (STAI-Ib) sonrası durumluk anksiyete puanları, tarama öncesi puanlarına (STAI-Ia) kıyasla daha yüksektir (39,68±6,38 vs. 42,45 6,26, p<0,001). Tarama negatif hastalarda durumluk anksiyete skorları tarama öncesine göre azalmıştır (39,79±6,00 vs. 36,93±5,27, p<0,001). Sonuç: İlk trimester taraması için başvurunun hastalarda durumluk anksiyeteye neden olduğu gösterilmiştir. Özellikle tarama sonuçları pozitif çıkan hastalarda maternal anksiyetenin olumsuz etkilerini önlemek için sosyal ve psikolojik destek sağlanmalıdır.

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Cite This Article

Eyisoy, Ö. G., Sandal, K. (2025). Does first trimester prenatal screening impact on maternal anxiety? A prospective cohort study. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine, Volume: 8 Issue: 5. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1709742

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