Association of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder among U.S. Military Women with Preterm Birth and Low Birth Weight

Background: Women represented 14.35% of the Armed Forces in 2007 and 10.6% of those deployed to support combat situations. Combat increases the risk post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but little is known about the effects of deployment and PTSD on pregnancy outcomes . Purpose: This study will examine the association of deployment-related PTSD and related mental disorders with adverse pregnancy outcomes among active-duty military women. Methods: Our study population consists of active-duty military women who delivered a liveborn singleton infant during 2004-2008. We are utilizing linked de-identified military data sources containing PTSD screenings, other mental disorders, and deployment history to ICD-9 codes from the delivery records to identify the association of these risk factors with maternal and infant outcomes. Results: We have identified approximately 59,600 singleton births for inclusion in the study. The overall low birth weight rate was 5.23% and the preterm birth rate was 6.87%. Seventy-one mothers (0.11%) had a clinical diagnosis of PTSD. Of the women in the study, there were just over 40,000 completed Post deployment health assessments with approximately 12% identifying at least 2 risk factors for PTSD out of 4 screening questions. Our study will identify the association of PTSD diagnoses and positive screens with subsequent pregnancy outcomes. Discussion: This analysis is still in progress but it will allow us sufficient power to determine if there is an association between PTSD with low birth weight and preterm birth, as well as allow for exploring potential timing issues and the potential interaction of other factors.