The effects of physical abuse on pregnancy outcomes in a low-risk obstetric population.
OBJECTIVE
This study was undertaken to evaluate the impact of physical abuse on pregnancy outcomes.


METHODS
This prospective investigation identified all women seen in the outpatient obstetric clinic with a history of physical abuse and matched each with the next 2 women seen without a history of physical abuse (case/control ratio, 1:2).


RESULTS
Twenty-eight abused women were matched with 56 control subjects. The frequencies of preterm birth, mode of delivery, Apgar scores <7 at 5 minutes, umbilical artery pH <7.10 at birth, and unhappy or ambivalent feelings about the pregnancy were not statistically different between the 2 groups. Admission to the neonatal intensive care unit was more common among infants of the abused women (n = 4 [14.2%] vs n = 2 [3.6%]), despite heavier birth weights in the abused group (3501 +/- 581 g vs 3200 +/- 549 g; P =. 023), but this trend did not reach significance.


CONCLUSIONS
A history of physical abuse did not result in adverse pregnancy outcomes, although neonatal intensive care unit admission was more likely.
Jagoe
J
J
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Naval Medical Center, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, USA.
Magann
E F
EF
Chauhan
S P
SP
Morrison
J C
JC
D000328:Adult; D001034:Apgar Score; D001724:Birth Weight; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013179:Spouse Abuse; D014469:Umbilical Arteries