Life events and low birthweight--analysis by infants preterm and small for gestational age.
Social stress was assessed in 92 women with low-birthweight babies and 92 controls using the detailed LEDS measure of life events and severe chronic difficulties. The low-birthweight group was divided into preterm delivery (n = 40), small for gestational age (SGA) (n = 40) and mixed groups. Multivariate analysis was performed using a binomial-logit model to examine whether social factors were independently and significantly associated with low birthweight once the effect of demographic factors, obstetric factors and smoking/drinking were taken into account. Comparison of preterm births with controls indicated that three factors were significantly associated: a previous low-birthweight baby, severe life event/difficulty and bleeding during pregnancy. For SGA babies the factors were: previous low-birthweight baby, low social support and smoking. By using a reliable measure of life events and adequate numbers of low-birthweight babies, this study overcame the potential inaccuracies of previous studies and indicates a more specific relation between social stress and low birthweight.
Mutale
T
T
Department of Psychiatry, Manchester Royal Infirmary.
Creed
F
F
Maresh
M
M
Hunt
L
L
D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D008016:Life Change Events; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D012934:Social Isolation