Background: Women with childhood maltreatment histories are at increased risk for adverse birth outcomes. Mechanisms explaining this link are poorly understood. Past research is limited by sampling pregnant women at low risk for adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes.
Methods: This pilot study was a secondary data analysis of 24 women with gestational diabetes mellitus; 17% of the sample also reported a maltreatment history. Women provided a blood sample to measure inflammatory cytokines and insulin resistance, and saliva samples to measure diurnal cortisol. Birth outcomes for past and current pregnancies were recorded.
Results: Histories of maltreatment were associated with elevated interleukin-15 and a marginally greater incidence of preterm delivery in current and past pregnancies.
Conclusions: This pilot study was the first to demonstrate an association between childhood maltreatment history and inflammatory cytokine levels in pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus.
Keywords: Maltreatment; gestational diabetes; inflammation; preterm birth.