Table 4 Comparisons of brain lobe surface area (cm2)/LGI/sulcal depth (mm) (least squares mean ± standard error) between pre-pandemic and pandemic cohorts from the generalized estimating equations for the associations between cohort status (0: pre-pandemic; 1: pandemic) and brain lobe surface area/LGI/sulcal depth of combined four brain lobes, adjusting for gestational age at MRI (weeks) and fetal sex.

From: Maternal psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic and structural changes of the human fetal brain

 

Pre-pandemic

Pandemic

p

Low PSS

 Surface Area

162.0 ± 10.2

145.4 ± 10.9

<0.01*

 Local Gyrification Index

1.28 ± 0.06

1.20 ± 0.06

<0.01*

 Sulcal Depth

1.60 ± 0.23

1.49 ± 0.24

0.07

High PSS

 Surface Area

160.6 ± 16.8

143.3 ± 17.1

<0.01*

 Local Gyrification Index

1.30±0.12

1.20 ± 0.12

<0.01*

 Sulcal Depth

1.66 ± 0.38

1.50 ± 0.38

0.02*

Low EPDS

 Surface Area

161.1 ± 9.1

146.2 ± 9.5

<0.01*

 Local Gyrification Index

1.28 ± 0.06

1.20 ± 0.06

<0.01*

 Sulcal Depth

1.61 ± 0.20

1.51 ± 0.21

0.045*

High EPDS

 Surface Area

154.5 ± 32.3

134.4 ± 32.9

<0.01*

 Local Gyrification Index

1.27 ± 0.24

1.16 ± 0.25

0.02*

 Sulcal Depth

1.58 ± 0.70

1.34 ± 0.72

0.12

  1. PSS Perceived Stress Scale. EPDS Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Bold p: p < 0.05. *: q < 0.05.
Back to article page