Both tobacco use and psychiatric disorder have been independently associated with poor birth outcomes. Depression triples the rate of low birth weight births while schizophrenia is associated with twice the infant mortality of non-ill mothers. In the general population, the psychiatrically ill are also twice as likely to smoke as the general public. In this study we explore the evidence suggesting that smoking which persists in pregnancy indicates a need for screening for psychiatric illness. Using a cross-sectional, retrospective design we evaluate 550 pregnant women stratified by race and urban/rural residence who were recruited through WIC sites. A standardized psychiatric interview (DIS-IV) determined lifetime and current diagnosis of 15 disorders. Preliminary data (n=253) indicate 38% have a lifetime psychiatric disorder, 31% a current disorder,30% smoke during pregnancy and 15% are tobacco dependent. We employ multivariate logistic regression to predict psychiatric disorder (Any/None) from tobacco use controlling for race and urban/rural residence. Separate analyses are being conducted for tobacco use during pregnancy and current psychiatric disorder and for tobacco use ever and lifetime psychiatric disorder. The strength of the association between smoking in pregnancy and current psychiatric disorder will determine whether smoking in pregnancy could be considered an indicator for screening for the additional risk to infant health from psychiatric disorder.
Learning Objectives: 1.)Identify the adverse effects on infant birth outcome of psychiatric illness in pregnancy 2.)Assess the association between smoking that persists during pregnancy and the likelihood of current psychiatric disorder 3.)Evaluate the value of using smoking in pregnancy as an indicator for psychiatric screening during pregnancy
Keywords: Tobacco, Prenatal Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Research grant support from NIMH