The Effect of Smartphone Addiction to Uterine Artery Blood Flow, Fetal Heart Rate, and Fetal Birth Weight in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Sponsor
- Enrollment
- 128
- Locations
- 2
- Primary Endpoint
- Fetal Heart Rate Measurement
Study Overview
Brief Summary
This prospective cohort study investigates the relationship between smartphone addiction and fetal health parameters at the third trimester of pregnancy. Pregnant women will be evaluated for smartphone addiction, and fetal heart rate, uterine artery blood flow indices (Resistive Index, Systolic/Diastolic ratio), and birth weight will be measured. The hypothesis is that smartphone addiction may negatively affect fetal outcomes, leading to higher fetal heart rate, impaired uterine artery blood flow, and lower birth weight.
Although no direct studies have examined smartphone addiction and these fetal parameters together, related evidence suggests possible adverse effects of mobile phone exposure on oxidative stress, infant birth weight, fetal heart rate variability, and anthropometric measures. This study is among the first to specifically link smartphone addiction with maternal-fetal outcomes, offering new insights into environmental risk factors during late pregnancy. The findings aim to provide healthcare professionals with evidence based guidance for counseling pregnant women on safe smartphone use to protect maternal and fetal health.
Detailed Description
The Relationship of Smartphone Addiction to Fetal Heart Rate, Fetal Birth Weight, and Uterine Artery Blood Flow in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy This is a prospective cohort study. Fetal heart rate, uterine artery blood flow, and infant birth weight will be measured during the third trimester (28 weeks and beyond) of pregnancy to examine the relationship between these values and smartphone addiction.
Smartphone use is increasingly common today, and the potential effects of this on maternal and fetal health, especially during pregnancy, are becoming an important research topic. The third trimester of pregnancy is a critical period of rapid growth and preparation for birth, and investigating the effects of exposure to environmental factors on the fetus during this period is of great importance. This study aims to make a significant contribution to the literature by examining the potential effects of smartphone addiction on fetal heart rate, uterine artery blood flow parameters, and birth weight during the third trimester of pregnancy. H1: In pregnant women with smartphone addiction in the third trimester, fetal health parameters will be impaired. Fetal heart rate values will be negatively affected (higher). Uterine artery blood flow indicators will be impaired (increased Resistive Index (RI) and Systolic/Diastolic (S/D) ratio). Birth weight will be lower.
H0: There will be no statistically significant difference in fetal health parameters (fetal heart rate, uterine artery RI, S/D ratio, birth weight) between pregnant women with smartphone addiction and those without addiction.
There is no direct study on the specific relationship between smartphone addiction or screen time in the last trimester of pregnancy and fetal heart rate, uterine artery blood flow, and birth weight. However, related research themes exist:
A study conducted in Turkey demonstrated that mobile phone exposure during pregnancy has the potential to cause oxidative stress by increasing oxidant levels and decreasing antioxidant levels in cord blood (1). A study conducted in Japan found that excessive phone use was associated with lower average birth weight and a higher incidence of emergency baby transport (2). A systemic review showed that electromagnetic field radiation exposure was associated with hormonal, thermal, and cardiovascular changes among adults. Only four of the reviewed studies were conducted among pregnant women. These studies reported that radiation exposure during pregnancy was associated with miscarriages, fluctuations in fetal temperature and heart rate variability, as well as infant anthropometric measurements (3).
Study Design
- Study Type
- Observational
- Observational Model
- Cohort
- Time Perspective
- Prospective
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to 40 Years (Adult)
- Sex
- Female
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •Clinical diagnosis of singleton pregnancy
- •Must be in the third trimester of pregnancy (confirmed by ultrasound)
- •Must agree to participate voluntarily in the study and signing the informed consent form
- •Must own a smartphone
Exclusion Criteria
- •Clinical diagnosis of multiple pregnancy
- •History of miscarriage in previous pregnancies (3 or more)
- •Clinical diagnosis of chronic systemic diseases (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disease)
- •Clinical diagnosis of fetal anomaly in the fetus
- •Drug or substance addiction
- •Clinical diagnosis of serious psychiatric disorder
- •Cigarette smoker
Arms & Interventions
Pregnant women with smartphone addiction
According to Smartphone Addiction Scale - Short Version (SAS-SV) pregnant women with a score of 33 or higher (accepted as addicted to their smartphones according to the scale).
Pregnant women without smartphone addiction
According to SAS-SV pregnant women with a score of 32 or lower (accepted as not addicted to their smartphones according to the scale).
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Fetal Heart Rate Measurement
Time Frame: At baseline visit (single ultrasound assessment on the day of enrollment)
Fetal heart rate will be measured using ultrasound. Measurements will be performed by an experienced obstetrician and gynecologist in accordance with standard protocols.
Resistance Index Measurement
Time Frame: At baseline visit (single Doppler assessment on the day of enrollment)
RI will be checked and noted. obtained data will be compared with reference data for the given gestational age, and uterine blood flow will be coded as 0 for decreased and 1 for normal.
Systolic/ Diastolic Ratio Measurement
Time Frame: At baseline visit (single Doppler assessment on the day of enrollment)
S/D ratio will be checked and noted. The obtained data will be compared with reference data for the given gestational age, and uterine blood flow will be coded as 0 for decreased and 1 for normal.
Secondary Outcomes
- Birth weight measurement(At delivery (from enrollment until birth, assessed once at the time of delivery, up to approximately 12 weeks after enrollment))