TY - JOUR
T1 - Differential pathways to preterm delivery for sexually abused and comparison women
AU - Noll, Jennie G.
AU - Schulkin, Jay
AU - Trickett, Penelope K.
AU - Susman, Elizabeth J.
AU - Breech, Lesley
AU - Putnam, Frank W.
N1 - Funding Information:
This research was supported in part by research grants from the National Institutes of Health ( K01 HD41402; R01 MH048330) and the DHHS Children’s Bureau (ACYF 90CA1686).
PY - 2007
Y1 - 2007
N2 - Objective: Two distinct conditions, Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal (HPA) axis disruptions and maternal alcohol use, have been linked to preterm delivery. These conditions have also been cited as potential sequelae of childhood abuse. Studies have linked childhood abuse to increased rates of preterm delivery but mechanisms explaining this association are unclear. Methods: This prospective study compared preterm birth rates across offspring born to mothers who were sexually abused in childhood (OA; N = 67) and offspring born to nonabused comparison mothers (OC; N = 56). Results: Preterm delivery rates were higher for the OA group (Odds = 2.80 ± 1.44, p <. 05). Maternal prenatal alcohol use mediated this relationship, but HPA axis functioning did not. Heightened maternal cortisol was significantly related to preterm status, but only for the OC group. Conclusions: Results support the hypothesis that childhood abuse is a risk-factor for preterm delivery, however pathways are likely different for women with and without histories of sexual abuse.
AB - Objective: Two distinct conditions, Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal (HPA) axis disruptions and maternal alcohol use, have been linked to preterm delivery. These conditions have also been cited as potential sequelae of childhood abuse. Studies have linked childhood abuse to increased rates of preterm delivery but mechanisms explaining this association are unclear. Methods: This prospective study compared preterm birth rates across offspring born to mothers who were sexually abused in childhood (OA; N = 67) and offspring born to nonabused comparison mothers (OC; N = 56). Results: Preterm delivery rates were higher for the OA group (Odds = 2.80 ± 1.44, p <. 05). Maternal prenatal alcohol use mediated this relationship, but HPA axis functioning did not. Heightened maternal cortisol was significantly related to preterm status, but only for the OC group. Conclusions: Results support the hypothesis that childhood abuse is a risk-factor for preterm delivery, however pathways are likely different for women with and without histories of sexual abuse.
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U2 - 10.1093/jpepsy/jsm046
DO - 10.1093/jpepsy/jsm046
M3 - Article
C2 - 17569710
AN - SCOPUS:37549016293
SN - 0146-8693
VL - 32
SP - 1238
EP - 1248
JO - Journal of pediatric psychology
JF - Journal of pediatric psychology
IS - 10
ER -