title: Intimate partner violence during pregnancy and the risk for adverse infant outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intimate partner violence (IPV) is of particular concern during pregnancy when not one, but two lives are at risk. Previous meta-analyses have suggested an association between IPV and adverse birth outcomes; however, many large studies have since been published, illustrating the need for updated pooled effect estimates.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the relationship between IPV during pregnancy and the risk of preterm birth (PTB), low-birthweight (LBW), and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched PubMed and SCOPUS (from inception until May 2015), and the reference lists of the relevant studies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational studies comparing the rates of at least one adverse birth outcome (SGA, LBW, or PTB) in women who experienced IPV during pregnancy and those who did not.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data extracted from 50 studies were pooled and pooled odds ratios were calculated using random-effects models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intimate partner violence (IPV) was significantly associated with PTB (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.60-2.29) and LBW (OR 2.11, 95% CI 1.68-2.65), although a large level of heterogeneity was present for both (I(2)  = 84 and 91%, respectively). The association with SGA was less pronounced and marginally significant (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.02-1.84), although fewer studies were available for meta-analysis (n = 7).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our meta-analysis indicates that women who experienced IPV during pregnancy are at increased risk of having a PTB, and an LBW or an SGA infant. More studies examining the association between IPV and SGA are needed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Meta-analysis of IPV during pregnancy finds increased risk for preterm birth, LBW and SGA infants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Donovan
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
authors.forename: C N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Spracklen
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.|Iowa City VA Health Care System, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Schweizer
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.|Department of Pediatrics, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Ryckman
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Saftlas
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D000066511:Intimate Partner Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000453:epidemiology*
keywords: Domestic violence; low birthweight; partner abuse; premature; small for gestational age