SISTER STUDY RESEARCH

Early-life trauma may increase risk of pregnancy complications

Trauma in early life (before age 18) affects overall stress and is associated with increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). In the Sister Study cohort, we found that 47% of participants reported at least one type of early-life trauma and 31% reported high multiple early-life traumas. Women reporting physical trauma had the highest risk of gestational diabetes and HDP. Relative to low trauma, we also observed an elevated risk of gestational diabetes and HDP for women reporting high multiple early-life traumas. This work suggests the type and quantity of co-occurring early-life traumas does matter and that it is important to consider patterns of traumatic experiences when studying adverse pregnancy outcomes.

To learn more:
Association of Early-life Trauma With Gestational Diabetes and Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy