Effects of Smartphone Addiction to Fetal Parameters in Pregnancy

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).

This study makes a unique contribution to the literature because it is one of the first to examine the impact of smartphone addiction on fetal heart rate, uterine artery blood flow, and the risk of low birth weight. While existing research generally focuses on the general effects of mobile phone use, this study provides a more comprehensive analysis by assessing the level of addiction. Furthermore, the use of an objective measure such as fetal heart rate enhances the scientific value of the study.

The primary objective of this study was to determine the potential effects of smartphone addiction during the last trimester of pregnancy on fetal health indicators and low birth weight. This will contribute to the development of more informed recommendations for smartphone use during pregnancy and the protection of maternal and fetal health. The resulting data will provide healthcare professionals with a scientific basis for better counseling pregnant women.

Statistical analysis clarification:

Although participants were initially planned to be compared according to the established clinical cut-off of the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV ≥33 vs <33), the observed distribution resulted in a relatively small number of participants meeting the addiction threshold. Therefore, the primary statistical analyses were conducted using the total SAS-SV score as a continuous variable to preserve information and optimize statistical power. Comparisons based on the clinical addiction cut-off were performed as secondary and sensitivity analyses.

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