Citation

McFarlane JM, Parker B, Soeken K. Nurs. Res. 1996; 45(1): 37-42.

Affiliation

College of Nursing, Texas Woman's University, Houston 77030, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

8570420

Abstract

This paper presents a stratified, prospective cohort study that examined the relationship of abuse during pregnancy and low birth weight. The study covered a total of 1203 pregnant African American, Hispanic and White women who were assessed for abuse during the first prenatal and subsequent clinical visits. Using the Institute of Medicine risk factors which is classified into 5 groups: 1) demographic risks; 2) medical risks predating pregnancy; 3) medical risks in current pregnancy; 4) behavioral risks; and 5) inadequate prenatal care, the risk factors for low birth weight were examined. Physical and sexual abuses were reported among 16% of the subjects, with a higher percentage among African Americans (18%), followed by Whites (17%) and Hispanics (13%). Repetitive abuse was observed in 60% of the women with more severe abuse among those who began prenatal care during the third trimester. This study confirms that abuse during pregnancy is a significant risk factor for low infant birth weight, as well as maternal low weight gain, infections, anemia, smoking, and use of alcohol and drugs. Children delivered by women abused during pregnancy were reported to weigh 133 g less in comparison to women who were not abused. Abused White women delivered infants with the greatest reduction in birth weight.

Language: en