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30 October 2008
Money woes behind increase in preterm deliveries? 
An interesting new study by a researcher at RTI International has identified the types of stress that may increase the risk for preterm delivery. The study, published in RTI Press, found that being in debt, being injured by a partner, having someone close attempt suicide, and being divorced were all associated with an increase risk of preterm delivery. "Stressful life events have been associated with preterm delivery in some studies but not in others," said epidemiologist Nedra Whitehead, the paper's author. "This study provides some limited support for an association of some life events with preterm delivery." According to the research, women who reported being in debt were the most consistently at risk for preterm delivery. They were 9 percent more likely to deliver at 35 to 36 weeks of gestation, 14 percent more likely to deliver at 33 to 34 weeks, and 16 percent more likely to deliver at less than 33 weeks. Paradoxically, having a partner who lost his (or her) job was associated with a decreased risk of preterm delivery. The study made use of data collected by the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, a survey of American women with a recent live birth, for 1990-1995 to examine the relationship between individual life events and the risk of preterm delivery overall and by levels of severity. Related:
Premature Birth Linked To Lack Of Nutrition
Pesticides Behind Seasonal Premature Births?
Another Link Established Between Oral Bacteria And Premature Birth Source: RTI Press
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