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Effects of Maternal Stress on Low Birth Weight and Preterm Birth Outcomes Across Neighborhoods of South Carolina, 2000–2003

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Abstract

Objective Studies evaluating the effect of maternal stress on preterm birth (PTB) or low birth weight (LBW) and variations across neighborhood contexts have been inconclusive. The purpose of the study was to examine the relationships among neighborhood contexts, prenatal stress, and birth outcomes, and to further explore the modifying effects of neighborhood contexts. Methods We evaluated this objective by using South Carolina Pregnancy Risk Assessment and Monitoring System (PRAMS), 2000–2003 data linked to the 2000 U.S. census data for 8064 women (N = 8064). Principal component analysis with varimax rotation was used to group stress constructs into four main domains (Financial, Emotional, Traumatic, and Spousal-related). We used multilevel logistic regression analysis to estimate the adjusted odds ratio for different models. Results Maternal stress was significantly associated with increased risks of low birth weight and preterm deliveries. Neighborhood high poverty and low education (upper quartiles) were independently associated with low birth weight but not preterm deliveries and stress appeared as a partial mediator of contextual effects on birth outcomes. The interaction models showed that the relationship between stress and LBW or PTB was modified by neighborhood contexts with risks being greater for infants born in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Conclusions Effects of maternal stress on LBW and PTB outcomes may be different for mothers living in different neighborhood contexts. Therefore, investigations that fail to examine places of residence would most likely not identify mothers at risk of LBW or PTB. Policies to improve birth outcomes need to target both places of residence and specific mediating or moderating factors associated with deprived neighborhoods of residence.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge with deep appreciation the contribution of Drs. Jim Ferguson, Guang Zhao, and other staff members of South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC) in providing us with the data for this study. The authors are also indebted to the anonymous reviewers and the Editor-in-Chief for their invaluable comments on the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Natural & Health Sciences, Public Health Program, University of Northern Colorado, Gunter Hall 2410, Campus Box 93, Greeley, 60639-0031, CO, USA

    Stephen Nkansah-Amankra & Ken Watkins

  2. Southern Institute for Children and Families, Columbia-South Carolina, Columbia, USA

    Kathryn J. Luchok

  3. Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, USA

    James Robert Hussey

  4. College of Education, University of South Carolina, Columbia, USA

    Xiaofeng Liu

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  1. Stephen Nkansah-Amankra
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Correspondence to Stephen Nkansah-Amankra.

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Nkansah-Amankra, S., Luchok, K.J., Hussey, J.R. et al. Effects of Maternal Stress on Low Birth Weight and Preterm Birth Outcomes Across Neighborhoods of South Carolina, 2000–2003. Matern Child Health J 14, 215–226 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-009-0447-4

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