Abstract 12418: History of Physical or Sexual Abuse in Early Life and Risk of Preeclampsia

Abstract

Introduction: Women with a history of abuse are more likely to develop chronic hypertension later in life. However, it is unknown whether early life abuse is associated with the risk of developing preeclampsia, a hypertensive disorder that complicates 5-7% of pregnancies. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that women with a history of physical or sexual abuse during early life would have a higher risk of developing preeclampsia during their first pregnancy. Methods: Nurses’ Health Study II participants reported on their histories of physical and sexual abuse in early life (childhood [0-10 years] or adolescence [11-17 years]) in 2001 and pregnancy complications (including preeclampsia) in 2009. Parous women with available information on early life abuse and pregnancy history comprised the study sample (n=46,212). Modified Poisson regression models were used to estimate risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the associations between physical and sexual abuse in early life and preeclampsia. Models were adjusted for maternal age at pregnancy, year of birth, race/ethnicity, body size (somatogram) at age five, and childhood socioeconomic status. Results: More than half of women (53%; n=24,212) reported a history of physical abuse in early life, with 9% reporting severe abuse. A history of sexual abuse in early life was reported among 33% of women (n=15,389); 22% reported touch only sexual abuse while 11% reported a history of forced sexual activity. History of severe physical abuse in early life was associated with a 37% increased risk of preeclampsia in first pregnancy (CI: 1.19-1.57) compared to no early life physical abuse. History of forced sexual activity in early life was associated with a 33% increased risk of preeclampsia in first pregnancy (CI: 1.19-1.48) compared to no early life sexual abuse. Histories of less severe physical abuse or touch only sexual abuse were not associated with preeclampsia risk. Conclusion: Women with a history of severe physical or sexual abuse in childhood or adolescence appear to have an increased risk of developing preeclampsia during pregnancy.