Effects of Smartphone Addiction to Fetal Parameters in Pregnancy (ESAFPP)

The Effect of Smartphone Addiction to Uterine Artery Blood Flow, Fetal Heart Rate, and Fetal Birth Weight in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Pregnancy; Smart Phone Addiction

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).

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.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 128

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Antalya, Turkey (Türkiye), 07080
    • Ministry of Health Antalya City Hospital
  • Antalya, Turkey (Türkiye)
    • Antalya Anatolia Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population will consist of pregnant women in their third trimester (34-36 weeks of gestation) who present to Obstetric Clinics for routine antenatal follow-up. Eligible participants are biological females, aged 18-40 years, with singleton pregnancies, smartphone users, and without chronic systemic disease, fetal anomalies, or other exclusion criteria.

Description

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

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
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).

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Fetal Heart Rate Measurement	Fetal heart rate will be measured using ultrasound. Measurements will be performed by an experienced obstetrician and gynecologist in accordance with standard protocols.	At baseline visit (single ultrasound assessment on the day of enrollment)
Resistance Index Measurement	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.	At baseline visit (single Doppler assessment on the day of enrollment)
Systolic/ Diastolic Ratio Measurement	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.	At baseline visit (single Doppler assessment on the day of enrollment)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Birth weight measurement	The baby's initial weight, measured on a newborn scale in the delivery room, will be noted.	At delivery (from enrollment until birth, assessed once at the time of delivery, up to approximately 12 weeks after enrollment)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Antalya Training and Research Hospital
• Investigators: Study Director: Selkin Yilmaz Muluk, MD, Ministry of Health Antalya City Hospital

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Kwon M, Kim DJ, Cho H, Yang S. The smartphone addiction scale: development and validation of a short version for adolescents. PLoS One. 2013 Dec 31;8(12):e83558. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0083558. eCollection 2013.
• Lu X, Oda M, Ohba T, Mitsubuchi H, Masuda S, Katoh T. Association of excessive mobile phone use during pregnancy with birth weight: an adjunct study in Kumamoto of Japan Environment and Children's Study. Environ Health Prev Med. 2017 Jun 8;22(1):52. doi: 10.1186/s12199-017-0656-1.
• Özen G, Kahvecioğlu D, Bulut İ, Erel Ö, Neşelioğlu S, Üstün Y, Taşar MA. Effect of Mobile Phone Usage During Pregnancy on Total Oxidant and Antioxidant Levels in Cord Blood. J Behcet Uz Child Hosp 2023;13(3):177-184.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): August 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Actual): November 30, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): December 15, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 4, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 6, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): December 9, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 18, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 16, 2026
• Last Verified: February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: pregnancy; birth weight; fetal heart rate; uterine blood flow; smart phone addiction
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Body Weight; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms; Birth Weight
• Other Study ID Numbers: Antalya City/ Anatolian Hospit

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: YES
• IPD Plan Description: De-identified individual participant data will be made available to researchers who provide a methodologically sound and ethically approved research proposal. Data will be shared via a secure, designated platform, and a data use agreement will be required to ensure compliance with privacy and ethical standards.
• IPD Sharing Time Frame: 5 years
• IPD Sharing Access Criteria: De-identified individual participant data will be made available to researchers who provide a methodologically sound and ethically approved research proposal. Data will be shared via a secure, designated platform, and a data use agreement will be required to ensure compliance with privacy and ethical standards.
• IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type: STUDY_PROTOCOL; SAP; ICF; CSR

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No