The association between maternal cortisol levels and anxiety during labour with neonatal outcome: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT

Objective. This study aims to investigate the association of maternal cortisol levels  and anxiety during labor with neonatal outcome in primigravida women.
Materials and Methods. A total of 147 pairs of primigravida with their neonates included in the study. The study was conducted from January to May 2023 using cross-sectional design. Labor anxiety were assessed using the Labor Anxiety Questionnaire Kwestionariusz Lęku Porodowego-II (KLP-II). The maternal cortisol was measured using the ELISA at active phase of labor. Data were analyzed using the Chi-Square test and Mann-whitney test.
Results. The mean age and birth weight of 24.52 ± 4.21 years and 2992 ± 377.68 gr, respectively. The median serum cortisol concentration was 58.35 ng/ml with an interquartile range of 22.19-70.98 ng/ml. There was no association between maternal cortisol levels and anxiety during labor with neonatal outcome (antropometry and APGAR score) (p > 0.05). Labor duration also was not influenced by cortisol levels and anxiety during labor, instead of by birthweight (p < 0.05).
Conclusions. Both maternal cortisol levels and anxiety during primigravida labor was not associated with neonatal outcome. Further research is needed with a larger sample size to confirm whether acute stress anxiety can influence the neonatal outcome.