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Updated: Mar 27, 2026

Author Spotlight: Exploring Microglial Interactions with Stress-Response Circuitry Using the Limited Bedding and Nesting Model
Published on: July 12, 2024
Early Childhood Adversity and Pregnancy Outcomes
Megan V Smith1, Nathan Gotman2, Kimberly A Yonkers2
1Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, 142 Temple Street, Suite #301, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA. megan.smith@yale.edu.
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.
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