Citation

Berenson AB, Wiemann CM, Wilkinson GS, Jones WA, Anderson GD. Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 1994; 170(6): 1760-6; discussion 1766-9.

Affiliation

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555-0587.

Comment In:

Am J Obstet Gynecol 1995;172(5):1644-5.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

8203437

Abstract

This study was undertaken to investigate whether physical assault was independently associated with an adverse obstetric outcome. 512 women examined at the low-risk prenatal clinic of the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas, were interviewed. The final cohorts consisted of 32 (7.3%) physically abused women and 352 (80.0%) control subjects without any abuse history. Demographic and socioeconomic differences were found to be insignificant among the respondents. Results revealed that women assaulted in the current pregnancy were twice as likely to have preterm labor as compared with those without assault history. In addition, crude odd ratios showed a twofold increased risk of chorioamnionitis in assault victims. No difference between abused and nonabused women was noted in the prevalence of preterm delivery, pregnancy-induced hypertension, cesarean section, meconium staining, infant birth weight, Apgar scores, intrauterine growth retardation, fetal distress, fetal death, neonatal seizures, sepsis, or admission to the intensive care unit. In conclusion, physical assault was associated with preterm labor and chorioamnionitis and screening for assault must be incorporated during routine prenatal care to identify women at risk of complications.

Language: en