PregnancyESAFPPNCT07271680
Effects of Smartphone Addiction to Fetal Parameters in Pregnancy
An observational study of Pregnancy and Smart Phone Addiction, run by Antalya Training and Research Hospital at 2 sites in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial 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… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 40 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Pregnancy, Smart Phone Addiction
- How many people
- 128 participants
- Where
- 2 sitesTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Aug 2025to 15 Dec 2025
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 40 years
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
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.
Who may be able to join
- 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
Who cannot join
- 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
Trial locations and contacts
2 sites in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)2 sites
Ministry of Health Antalya City Hospital
Antalya, 07080
Antalya Anatolia Hospital
Antalya
About this study
Official title: 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.
Read the 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.
- Conditions
- Pregnancy, Smart Phone Addiction
- Keywords
- pregnancy, uterine blood flow, fetal heart rate, birth weight, smart phone addiction
- Medical subject headings
- Birth Weight
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| 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 being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
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.
Measured: 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.
Measured: 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.
Measured: At baseline visit (single Doppler assessment on the day of enrollment)
Secondary outcomes (1)
Birth weight measurement
The baby's initial weight, measured on a newborn scale in the delivery room, will be noted.
Measured: At delivery (from enrollment until birth, assessed once at the time of delivery, up to approximately 12 weeks after enrollment)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted9 Dec 2025
- Study start1 Aug 2025
- Primary completion30 Nov 2025
- Study completion15 Dec 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for PregnancyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 128 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Antalya Training and Research Hospital
- Sponsor type
- Other government
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Selkin Yilmaz Muluk, MD, Study director, Ministry of Health Antalya City Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07271680
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Antalya City/ Anatolian Hospit
- Acronym
- ESAFPP
- Status last verified
- Feb 2026
- First submitted
- 4 Sep 2025
- Last updated
- 18 Feb 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: 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.
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.
PubMed 24391787Lu 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.
PubMed 29165149Özen 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 at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 18 Feb 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Smartphone Addiction to Uterine Artery Blood Flow, Fetal Heart Rate, and Fetal Birth Weight in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07271680
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ESAFPP / Antalya City/ Anatolian Hospit
- Conditions
- Pregnancy, Smart Phone Addiction
- Keywords
- pregnancy, uterine blood flow, fetal heart rate, birth weight, smart phone addiction
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 128 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Antalya Training and Research HospitalOther government
- Study start
- 1 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Nov 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 15 Dec 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 9 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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).
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 design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| 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). |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 40 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
- 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.
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- 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
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- 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
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
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.
1 secondary outcome
Birth weight measurement
Time frame: At delivery (from enrollment until birth, assessed once at the time of delivery, up to approximately 12 weeks after enrollment)
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 18 Feb 2026.
- Background: PubMed 24391787Kwon 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.
- Background: PubMed 29165149Lu 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.
- BackgroundÖzen 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.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. 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.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Selkin Yilmaz Muluk, MD study director
Ministry of Health Antalya City Hospital
2 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Pregnancy and Smart Phone Addiction, run by Antalya Training and Research Hospital at 2 sites in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 18 Feb 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 2 sites in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Fetal Heart Rate Measurement (time frame: At baseline visit (single ultrasound assessment on the day of enrollment)). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07271680, which also lists 3 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 18 Feb 2026.