CDC

Intimate partner violence during pregnancy linked to adverse maternal and infant health outcomes

December 9, 2024

Study design: This analysis utilized data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) collected between 2016 and 2022 across nine U.S. jurisdictions. The study included women with a recent live birth and assessed the prevalence and impact of emotional, physical, and sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy on prenatal care initiation, health conditions during pregnancy, substance use, and infant birth outcomes.

Results: 5.4% of women reported experiencing IPV during pregnancy, with emotional IPV being the most common (5.2%), followed by physical (1.5%) and sexual (1.0%) IPV. All types of IPV were associated with delayed or no prenatal care, increased rates of depression and substance use during pregnancy, and higher incidence of low birth weight in infants. Physical IPV was also linked to pregnancy-related hypertension and preterm birth.

Impact on clinical practice: Addressing multiple IPV types through comprehensive prevention efforts is critical to supporting maternal and infant health.

Source:

Steele-Baser M, et al. (2024, December 5). CDC. Intimate Partner Violence and Pregnancy and Infant Health Outcomes — Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, Nine U.S. Jurisdictions, 2016–2022. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7348a1.htm