This proposal aims to complete a prospective study of life stress in pregnancy, an issue that has long been a concern of obstetric practitioners. The sample comprises cohorts of 500 prenatal patients assembled in each of two closely comparable areas, who are followed to six weeks postpartum. The independent variables fall into two broad exposure classes: acute individual life stressors and chronic community stressors, both measured at several points in pregnancy. The dependent variables are specific adverse outcomes for mother and offspring selected on the basis of biologic plausibility. A unique feature of the study is the use of biological markers (principally urinary catecholamine levels) to measure both physiologic response to stress and possible intervening pathways from stressors to reproductive outcome. Social support, coping and locus of control are assessed as potential moderating variables. A range of experiences known to affect pregnancy outcome - including behaviors that may be influenced by stress (e.g., smoking, drinking) - are measured as potential confounding or effect-modifying variables. Tests of the effects of acute individual stress relate to reported life events. Tests of the effects of chronic community stress depend partly on subject reports of perceived threat and partly on the comparison of two sociodemographically similar areas: one proximate to a nuclear plant (Three Mile Island); the other not; and both equally exposed to perceived threats from other environmental hazards such as radon. The study is well-launched, with all procedures fully operational. Continuity depends on timely supplemental funding.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
3R01HD024659-02S1
Application #
3325439
Study Section
Epidemiology and Disease Control Subcommittee 2 (EDC)
Project Start
1989-08-01
Project End
1991-07-31
Budget Start
1991-01-15
Budget End
1991-07-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1991
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Columbia University (N.Y.)
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
064931884
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10027
Petraglia, F; Hatch, M C; Lapinski, R et al. (2001) Lack of effect of psychosocial stress on maternal corticotropin-releasing factor and catecholamine levels at 28 weeks' gestation. J Soc Gynecol Investig 8:83-8
Hoffman, S; Hatch, M C (2000) Depressive symptomatology during pregnancy: evidence for an association with decreased fetal growth in pregnancies of lower social class women. Health Psychol 19:535-43
Hatch, M; Levin, B; Shu, X O et al. (1998) Maternal leisure-time exercise and timely delivery. Am J Public Health 88:1528-33
Landsbergis, P A; Hatch, M C (1996) Psychosocial work stress and pregnancy-induced hypertension. Epidemiology 7:346-51
Reuss, M L; Hatch, M C; Susser, M (1995) Early ultrasound dating of pregnancy: selection and measurement biases. J Clin Epidemiol 48:667-74
Shu, X O; Hatch, M C; Mills, J et al. (1995) Maternal smoking, alcohol drinking, caffeine consumption, and fetal growth: results from a prospective study. Epidemiology 6:115-20
Hatch, M C; Shu, X O; McLean, D E et al. (1993) Maternal exercise during pregnancy, physical fitness, and fetal growth. Am J Epidemiol 137:1105-14
Hatch, M; Thomas, D (1993) Measurement issues in environmental epidemiology. Environ Health Perspect 101 Suppl 4:49-57
Hatch, M (1992) The epidemiology of electric and magnetic field exposures in the power frequency range and reproductive outcomes. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 6:198-214