Intrauterine growth retardation and premature delivery: the influence of maternal smoking and psychosocial factors.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the influence of psychosocial stress, maternal schooling, social support, psychological well-being, alcohol, and smoking on intrauterine growth retardation and premature delivery.


METHODS
At a Copenhagen university hospital, 2432 pregnant women completed a questionnaire on general health, psychosocial stressors, and sociodemographic characteristics.


RESULTS
In 212 cases (8.7%) the women delivered prematurely. Preterm delivery as associated with psychosocial stress (adjusted odds ratio [OR]=1.14 for each 1-point increase on the psychosocial stressor 5-point scale and 1.92 for the whole scale) and poor school education (adjusted OR=2.62 for 7-9 years of schooling, 1.91 for 10 years, and 1.0 for 11-13 years). In 152 cases (6.3%), infants had a birthweight below the 10th percentile. Intrauterine growth retardation was associated with smoking, daily drinking, school education, and social network variables. In a multiple logistic regression model, intrauterine growth retardation was associated with smoking habits (adjusted OR=2.40 for 0-9 cigarettes daily, 2.68 for 10-15 daily, and 2.88 for more than 15 daily).


CONCLUSIONS
Psychosocial stressors and limited duration of schooling appeared to influence preterm delivery. Smoking habits influenced intrauterine growth retardation.
Nordentoft
M
M
Department of Psychiatry, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Lou
H C
HC
Hansen
D
D
Nim
J
J
Pryds
O
O
Rubin
P
P
Hemmingsen
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000209:etiology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires