Study objective: To study the relation between a history of physical abuse and consumption of cigarettes and alcohol during pregnancy.
Methods: In a case-control study, 83 women who delivered a low birthweight (<2500 g) infant (cases) and 92 women with a newborn with birthweight > or =2500 g (controls) were interviewed about a history of sexual abuse, physical abuse by a partner, and about health behaviors during pregnancy.
Results: In all, 46 (26%) had a history of abuse. Birth of a low birthweight infant was not associated with a history of abuse. At time of first prenatal visit 35% of the women were daily smokers, 50%) of the abused and 29%, of the nonabused were smokers. An abuse history was associated with daily smoking when controlled for educational level (OR 2.29, 95%, CI 1.08-4.85). Ninety (51%) of the women reported consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. Abuse was associated with alcohol consumption in pregnancy when controlled for educational level (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.22-5.39).
Conclusions: Alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy were associated with a history of abuse. Health care professionals should consider this potential correlation when use of tobacco and alcohol in pregnancy is brought up.