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Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
An observational study of type, timing, and severity of childhood maltreatment and preterm birth
Sabrina C Selk1, Janet W Rich-Edwards2, Karestan Koenen3
1Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Insights
Forced sexual activity in childhood or adolescence increases preterm birth risk. Other forms of childhood maltreatment were not linked to preterm birth in this study.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Psychosocial Factors in Pregnancy
- Public Health
Background:
- Childhood maltreatment is inconsistently linked to preterm birth.
- Previous research has not clarified the role of maltreatment type, timing, or severity.
- Understanding these associations is crucial for identifying at-risk populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate specific types of childhood and adolescent maltreatment as risk factors for preterm birth.
- To examine associations between physical abuse, sexual abuse, and harsh parenting and preterm birth.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of the Nurses' Health Study II cohort.
- Questionnaire data on childhood/adolescent maltreatment and pregnancy outcomes.
- Logistic regression models adjusted for multiple covariates.
Main Results:
- Forced sexual activity in childhood/adolescence was associated with a 22% increased odds of preterm birth.
- No significant association was found between sexual touch, physical abuse, or harsh parenting and preterm birth.
- Analysis included over 51,000 first births, with 8% being preterm.
Conclusions:
- Forced sexual activity during formative years may elevate the risk of preterm birth later in life.
- Findings highlight the specific impact of certain types of maltreatment on pregnancy outcomes.
- Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms linking sexual abuse to preterm birth.
Background:
Childhood maltreatment has been linked to preterm birth (<37 weeks gestation) in some studies, but these findings have been inconsistent, and it remains unclear whether type, timing or severity of maltreatment are associated with risk of preterm birth. The aim of this observational study was to explore type of maltreatment (child and adolescent physical and sexual abuse and harsh parenting) as risk factors for preterm birth.
Methods:
We examined these associations in a cross-sectional analysis of the Nurses' Health Study II cohort of female nurses. Women completed a questionnaire about experiences of sexual abuse, physical abuse or harsh parenting, along with pregnancy outcomes. Logistic regression models adjusted for relevant covariates including age, race, alcohol and cigarette use during pregnancy, age at menarche, marital status, adult income, body mass index (kg/m(2)) at age 18, physical abuse in pregnancy, and childhood socioeconomic position.
Results:
Among 51 434 first births, 4110 were preterm (8% of births). Forced sexual activity in childhood or adolescence was associated with a 22% increased odds of preterm birth (OR=1.22, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.35). Maltreatment involving sexual touch, physical abuse or harsh parenting was not associated with preterm birth in this sample.
Conclusions:
Women who experience forced sexual activity in childhood or adolescence may have an increased likelihood of delivering preterm in adulthood.
