The impact of forced relocation and war-related stress on the functional state of the autonomic nervous system in pregnant women

Military conflicts and related social disruptions significantly impact public health, particularly among vulnerable populations such as pregnant women. Aim - examines changes in the functional state of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in pregnant women who experienced forced relocation due to the war in Ukraine. Material and methods. A total of 1000 pregnant women were assessed and categorized into three groups: (1) women who relocated from active combat zones, (2) those who moved from relatively safer regions, and (3) a control group with no relocation experience. The ANS status was evaluated using a modified A.M. Wayne questionnaire and physiological indicators such as blood pressure, heart rate, and the Kerdo autonomic index. The results revealed that the most severe ANS dysfunction was observed in the group 1, characterized by predominant sympathetic activity (tachycardia, elevated blood pressure, reduced salivation) and high stress levels. The group 2 also exhibited ANS disturbances, though to a lesser extent. The control group demonstrated significantly better autonomic balance. Conclusions. These findings indicate a substantial negative impact of forced relocation and war-related stress on the autonomic homeostasis of pregnant women. The high prevalence of autonomic dysfunction in the groups 1 and 2 highlights the urgent need for implementing medical and psychological support programs to mitigate the adverse effects of stress and promote maternal and fetal health. The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. The study protocol was approved by the local ethics committee of the participating institution. Informed consent was obtained from all participants. The author declares no conflict of interest.