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. 2016 Apr;20(4):790-8.
doi: 10.1007/s10995-015-1909-5.

Early Childhood Adversity and Pregnancy Outcomes

Megan V Smith  1 , Nathan Gotman  2 , Kimberly A Yonkers  2
Affiliations

Early Childhood Adversity and Pregnancy Outcomes

Megan V Smith et al. Matern Child Health J. 2016 Apr.

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and pregnancy outcomes; to explore mediators of this association including psychiatric illness and health habits.

Methods: Exposure to ACEs was determined by the Early Trauma Inventory Self Report Short Form; psychiatric diagnoses were generated by the Composite International Diagnostic Interview administered in a cohort of 2303 pregnant women. Linear regression and structural equation modeling bootstrapping approaches tested for multiple mediators.

Results: Each additional ACE decreased birth weight by 16.33 g and decreased gestational age by 0.063. Smoking was the strongest mediator of the effect on gestational age.

Conclusions: ACEs have an enduring effect on maternal reproductive health, as manifested by mothers' delivery of offspring that were of reduced birth weight and shorter gestational age.

Keywords: Adverse childhood experiences; Maternal mental health; Pregnancy outcomes; Smoking; Trauma.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Recruitment and selection of the analytic sample
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Mediation figures
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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