title: Intimate partner violence during pregnancy and adverse neonatal outcomes in low-income women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects an estimated 1.5 million U.S. women annually. IPV impacts maternal and neonatal health with higher rates of depression and low birth weight (LBW). Less studied is experiencing IPV and delivering a small for gestational age (SGA) baby. SGA neonates are at increased risk of developmental and behavioral problems. The negative sequelae persist into adulthood with increased rates of diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a sample of 239 pregnant women experiencing IPV, in urban and rural settings, we examined cross-sectional associations of severity of IPV and neonatal outcomes (i.e., birth weight and gestational age). Severity of IPV was measured by the Conflict Tactics Scale 2 and neonatal outcomes were collected at the time of delivery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Outcomes were collected on 194 neonates; 14.9% (n=29) were classified as LBW, 19.1% (n=37) classified as SGA, and 9.8% (n=19) as LBW and SGA. Women reporting higher severity of IPV during pregnancy had a greater likelihood of delivering an SGA neonate (odds ratio [OR] 4.81; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.86-12.47), and LBW neonate (OR 4.20; 95% CI 1.46-12.10).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In a sample of pregnant women experiencing perinatal IPV, women experiencing greater severities of IPV were more likely to deliver a neonate with an adverse outcome. Early recognition and intervention of IPV is essential to reduce disparities in birth outcomes and long-term health outcomes for these neonates.
authors.affiliation: 1 School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, Maryland.
authors.forename: Jeanne L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Alhusen
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bullock
authors.forename: Phyllis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sharps
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schminkey
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Comstock
authors.forename: Jacquelyn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Campbell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011203:Poverty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult