[Impact of domestic violence on reproductive and neonatal health].
BACKGROUND
Domestic violence can have an important influence on mother and child health.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the consequences of remote and actual, emotional or physical, domestic violence on the reproductive and newborn health in pregnant women.


METHODS
A longitudinal epidemiological observation from an Urban Primary Health Care Center from Valdivia, Chile, in 1998. Two cohorts were studied: Pregnant women that experienced domestic violence (index group) and pregnant women not exposed to domestic violence (control group). Women were followed during pregnancy and at labor. The newborn was also assessed.


RESULTS
The index group had a higher relative risk (RR) for impending abortion (RR 1.44, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07-1.93), hypertensive syndrome of pregnancy (RR 1.5, 95% CI: 1.18-1.96), intrahepatic cholestasis (RR 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1-1.94). Women that experienced violence during pregnancy had a higher risk of urinary tract infection (RR 2.88, 95% CI: 1.28-6.43), intrauterine growth retardation (RR 3.7, 95% CI: 1.77-7.93) and intrahepatic cholestasis. Newborns from the index group had lower weight, size and gestational age.


CONCLUSIONS
Domestic violence is associated with hypertension during pregnancy and intrauterine growth retardation. The incorporation of bio-psychological evaluation and monitoring systems could attenuate the consequences of domestic violence.
Arcos
E
E
Instituto de Enfermería Materna, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Administrativas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Unidad de Neonatología, Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Clínico Regional de Valdivia. earcos@uach.cl
Uarac
M
M
Molina
I
I
Repossi
A
A
Ulloa
M
M
D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D013179:Spouse Abuse