ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF MOOD DISORDERS DURING AND AFTER PREGNANCY: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the impact of mood disorders during and after pregnancy through a systematic literature review. Fifteen articles published between 2006 and 2024 were selected from PubMed, SciELO, and LILACS databases, focusing on depressive and anxiety symptoms and related psychosocial factors. The results revealed a high prevalence of maternal psychological distress, particularly among socially vulnerable women, those experiencing food insecurity, or those receiving high-risk prenatal care. The main risk factors identified were stress, low self-esteem, reduced income, and lack of family support. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as supervised physical exercise and digital technologies for emotional support, proved safe and potentially beneficial in preventing postpartum depression. It is concluded that systematic screening for mood symptoms should be integrated into prenatal and postnatal care, emphasizing an interdisciplinary and multiprofessional approach to reduce the impact of mood disorders on women’s and newborns’ health.