Exposure to Hurricane Katrina, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Birth Outcomes

Xiong, Xu; Harville, Emily W.; Mattison, Donald R.; Elkind‐Hirsch, Karen; Pridjian, Gabriella; Buekens, Pierre

doi:10.1097/maj.0b013e318180f21c

Cited by 177 publications

(157 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Term infants born to women who were pregnant on September 11, 2001 and who were living within a 2-mile radius of the WTC showed significant decrements in birth weight and body length at birth. In accord with these results, Xiong et al (2008) also reported three times higher rates of low birth weight in full-term infants when mothers were exposed to the Hurricane "Katrina." Besides these extremely negative life events, other authors have reported associations between maternal mental distress and lower birth weight.…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 75%

Cortisol levels in pregnancy as a psychobiological predictor for birth weight

Bolten

Wurmser

Buske‐Kirschbaum

et al. 2010

Arch Womens Ment Health

154

106

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Antenatal maternal stress is thought to negatively affect fetal development, birth outcomes, and infant's development. Glucocorticoids are suggested to be a common link between prenatal stressors and infant's health. However, data on these mechanisms are rare and sometimes conflicting. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of maternal distress during pregnancy on fetal development and birth weight in humans prospectively. This study focuses on cortisol as one mediating the mechanism of the association between maternal distress and birth outcomes. Pregnancy-related and general distress was measured in 81 women with uncomplicated, singleton pregnancies. The rise of salivary cortisol on awakening (CAR) was assessed in weeks 13-18 and 35-37 postmenstrual age of pregnancy. Mothers completed a structured interview, the perceived stress scale, a widely used psychological instrument that provided a global measure of perceived stress, as well as the Prenatal Distress Questionnaire, a self-report questionnaire designed to assess worries and anxiety in pregnancy. Pre-, peri-, and postnatal medical risk factors as well as birth characteristics were extracted from medical records routinely kept by the attending obstetricians. Hierarchical multiple regressions indicate that maternal cortisol levels explained 19.8% of the variance in birth weight and 9% of the variance in body length at birth, even after controlling for gestational age, parity, prepregnancy BMI, smoking, and infant's sex. Newborns of mothers with higher cortisol levels in pregnancy had lower birth weights and were shorter at birth. An ANCOVA for repeated measures indicated that, after controlling for covariates, pregnancy-related as well as general distress in pregnancy did not influence cortisol levels after awakening (area under the curve). No significant associations between perceived stress and anthrometric measures at birth were found. In conclusion, maternal cortisol levels in pregnancy influence intrauterine growth and may be a better predictor for birth outcome than perceived stress.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 75%

Cortisol levels in pregnancy as a psychobiological predictor for birth weight

Bolten

Wurmser

Buske‐Kirschbaum

et al. 2010

Arch Womens Ment Health

154

106

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Specific high exposure to Katrina and the intensity of the experience was associated with low birth weight babies [3,43].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sexual violence can lead to a rise of sexually transmitted diseases and injuries. Mental health issues, both acutely and chronic posttraumatic stress disorders, impacts the health and welfare of women and their families [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

In the Aftermath of Disasters: The Impact on Women’s Health

Goodman¹

2016

Crit Care Obst & Gyne

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Women are disproportionately injured and killed during natural disasters. The reasons are complex and related to their responsibilities in families and their vulnerable status in their societies. Pregnancy outcomes are adversely affected both the disaster and the care given following the event. This commentary reviews current literature pertaining to the dangers women face in various disasters. Disaster responders and healthcare providers who treat women must be trained to manage these challenges.

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“…However, the literature on disasters indicates limited effects on birth outcomes. Several studies of terrorist attacks 4 -9) , nuclear reactor accidents 10 -16) , and natural disasters (earthquakes 17 -20) and hurricanes 21,22) ) have been identified. Disasters of various types may affect on fetal growth, although there is no clear causal link to shortened gestation or preterm birth 3) .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pregnancy and Birth Survey After the Great East Japan Earthquake and Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident in Fukushima Prefecture

Fujimori

Kyozuka

Yasuda

et al. 2014

Fukushima J. Med. Sci.

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: Background : On 11 March 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake followed by a powerful tsunami hit the Pacific Coast of Northeast Japan and damaged Tokyo Electric Power Company's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, causing a radiation hazard in Fukushima Prefecture. The objective of this report is to describe some results of a questionnaire -based pregnancy and birth survey conducted by the Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey. Materials and Methods : Questionnaires were sent to women who received maternal and child health handbooks from municipal officers in Fukushima Prefecture between 1 August 2010 and 31 July 2011, with the aim of reaching those who were pregnant at the time of the disaster. Mailing began 18 January 2012. Data were analyzed separately for six geographic areas in Fukushima Prefecture. Results : The total number of women meeting survey criteria was 15,972. The number of responses received to date is 9,298 (58.2%). Data from 8602 respondents were analyzed after excluding 634 invalid responses and 5 induced and 57 spontaneous abortions (less than 22 gestational weeks). The incidences of stillbirth (over 22 completed gestational weeks), preterm birth, low birth weight and congenital anomalies were 0.25%, 4.4%, 8.7% and 2.72%, respectively. These incidences are similar to recent averages elsewhere in Japan. Conclusion : Considering the pregnancy and birth survey data in aggregate, our disaster seemed to provoke no significant adverse outcomes over the whole of Fukushima prefecture. But post -disaster prenatal care and support intended for patients' safety and security should be coupled with ongoing surveillance and rigorous data analysis.

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Exposure to Hurricane Katrina, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Birth Outcomes

Abstract: Background-Little is known about the effects of natural disasters on pregnancy outcomes. We studied mental health and birth outcomes among women exposed to Hurricane Katrina.

Cited by 177 publications

References 18 publications

Cortisol levels in pregnancy as a psychobiological predictor for birth weight

Cortisol levels in pregnancy as a psychobiological predictor for birth weight

In the Aftermath of Disasters: The Impact on Women’s Health

Pregnancy and Birth Survey After the Great East Japan Earthquake and Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident in Fukushima Prefecture

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