Posttraumatic stress disorder linked to smaller birth weight and shorter gestation

Posttraumatic stress disorder linked to smaller birth weight and shorter gestation - News - BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology: Women with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are more likely to have smaller babies and deliver prematurely, suggests new research from the University of Michigan, published today in the British Journal of Ob/Gyn.

The findings also found a strong link between low birth weight and shorter gestation to mothers with PTSD who suffered abuse in childhood. PTSD is prevalent among women and can occur following traumatic events such as war, disaster, childhood maltreatment, rape and battering. Women with low sociodemographic status tend to have higher rates of PTSD in pregnancy, as do African American women.

Editor: Question is, is it a previous abortion that's causing the PTSD that's causing the preterm delivery?


Related: AAPLOG article on abortion and mental health