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Late fetal demise, a risk factor for post-traumatic stress disorder

Authors :
Lucile Abiola
Guillaume Legendre
Andrew Spiers
Elsa Parot-Schinkel
Jean-François Hamel
Philippe Duverger
Pierre-Emmanuel Bouet
Philippe Descamps
Caroline Quelen
Philippe Gillard
Elise Riquin
Source :
Scientific Reports, Vol 12, Iss 1, Pp 1-9 (2022)
Publication Year :
2022
Publisher :
Nature Portfolio, 2022.

Abstract

Abstract Late-term fetal demise including fetal death in utero, late miscarriage and late termination of pregnancy are relatively frequent occurrences. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a pathology that finds its roots in exposure to a life-threatening event or an event related to death. Exposure to fetal death during a late-term fetal demise is, therefore, a situation at risk of trauma. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of PTSD symptoms in the short term among patients faced with late fetal demise, and to identify potential risk factors. All women were assessed at 15 days, one month, and three months after late fetal demise using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the Peritraumatic Dissociative Experiences Questionnaire (PDEQ). At 15 days, 44.2% of patients presented a pathological score on the IES-R (≥ 33). At one month and three months, this figure was 34.1% and 9.1% respectively. Factor associated with PTSD symptoms were: peritraumatic dissociation (p = 0.014), seeing the fetus during hospitalization (p = 0.035), holding the fetus in one’s arms (p = 0.046), and the organization of a funeral service (p = 0.025). Patients experiencing late fetal demise are at significant risk of trauma. Care providers should remain vigilant to identify high-risk situations to offer appropriate care. Clinical trials registration number: NCT03433989.

Subjects

Subjects :
Medicine
Science

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20452322
Volume :
12
Issue :
1
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Scientific Reports
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.5d1abc28e35d4e37a7c35edc09e0da72
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-16683-5