Intrauterine growth retardation and premature delivery. the effect of smoking and psychosocial factors
Nordentoft, M.; Lou, H.C.; Hansen, D.; Nim, J.; Pryds, O.A.; Rubin, P.J.; Hemmingsen, R.P.
Ugeskrift for Laeger 159(22): 3393-3400
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-5782 PMID: 9199026 Document Number: 471515
The purpose of the study is to investigate the influence of psychosocial stress, maternal schooling, social support, psychological well-being, alcohol and smoking on intrauterine growth retardation and premature delivery. At a Copenhagen university hospital 2432 consecutive Danish-speaking women in 20th week of pregnancy completed a questionnaire including the General Health Questionnaire and Severity of Psychosocial Stressor Scale and questions about social network, education, smoking and drinking habits. In 212 cases (8.7%) the women delivered before day 259 of gestation. In a multiple logistic regression model, pre-term delivery proved to be associated with psychosocial stress and poor school education. In 152 cases (6.3%) infants had a birth weight below the defined 10th percentile. In a multiple logistic regression model, IUGR was associated with smoking. In preventive programmes, such as anti-smoking campaigns, it should be kept in mind that women who smoke are also the least educated and have the poorest support from a social network.