{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,16]],"date-time":"2026-09-16T18:05:02Z","timestamp":1789581902698,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":28,"publisher":"Public Library of Science (PLoS)","issue":"9","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,16]],"date-time":"2026-09-16T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1789516800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["www.plosone.org"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["PLoS One"],"abstract":"<jats:sec id=\"sec001\">\n                    <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>The perinatal period represents a high-risk period for anxiety, with symptoms of anxiety associated with a range of adverse outcomes for birthing people and children. Previous reviews have assessed the prevalence of anxiety during the perinatal period. However, the long-term course of perinatal anxiety remains unclear. This review protocol aims to investigate the long-term, natural course of anxiety symptoms, anxiety disorders, and anxiety-related disorders (AAARDS) among birthing people.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec id=\"sec002\">\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>A systematic review and, if appropriate, meta-analysis will be conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Search terms will be applied to the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, and PsycINFO. Inclusion criteria will be: (1) prevalence of AAARDS assessed at least once during the perinatal period and at \u226524 months post-birth, (2) AAARDS assessed using a validated measure and\/or diagnostic interview, (3) full-text available online. Exclusion criteria will be: (1) grey literature, (2) qualitative, interventional, or animal studies, (3) studies with a selected sample, (4) studies with a small sample size (N\u2009&lt;\u200910), and (5) studies that synthesise existing research. Screening and data extraction will be conducted by two independent reviewers, with any conflicts resolved by a third reviewer. Risk of bias will be assessed using a modified version of the Downs and Black checklist. Data will be narratively synthesised, and meta-analyses will be conducted where appropriate.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec id=\"sec003\">\n                    <jats:title>Discussion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>The present protocol describes the methodology for a systematic review investigating the long-term course of perinatal AAARDS. Findings will address a gap in the literature and enhance our understanding of the natural course of perinatal anxiety, which could help to inform clinical services and resource allocation.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec id=\"sec004\">\n                    <jats:title>Registration<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>This review has been registered on PROSPERO (registration code: CRD420251073221).<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0356689","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,16]],"date-time":"2026-09-16T17:49:38Z","timestamp":1789580978000},"page":"e0356689","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.corrections_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["The long-term course of perinatal anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol"],"prefix":"10.1371","volume":"21","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0005-7480-1622","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Roberta Z. 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