Abstract
Gestational metabolic diseases adversely impact the health of pregnant persons and
their offspring. Pregnant persons of color are impacted disproportionately by gestational
metabolic disease, highlighting the need to identify additional risk factors contributing
to racial-ethnic pregnancy-related health disparities. Trauma exposure and posttraumatic
stress disorder (PTSD) are associated with increased risk for cardiometabolic disorders
in nonpregnant persons, making them important factors to consider when identifying
contributors to gestational metabolic morbidity and mortality health disparities.
Here, we review current literature investigating trauma exposure and posttraumatic
stress disorder as psychosocial risk factors for gestational metabolic disorders,
inclusive of gestational diabetes, low birth weight and fetal growth restriction,
gestational hypertension, and preeclampsia. We also discuss the physiological mechanisms
by which trauma and PTSD may contribute to gestational metabolic disorders. Ultimately,
understanding the biological underpinnings of how trauma and PTSD, which disproportionately
impact people of color, influence risk for gestational metabolic dysfunction is critical
to developing therapeutic interventions that reduce complications arising from gestational
metabolic disease.
Key Points
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Gestational metabolic diseases disproportionately impact the health of pregnant persons
of color.
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Trauma and PTSD are associated with increased risk for cardiometabolic disorders in
nonpregnant per.
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Trauma and PTSD impact physiological cardiometabolic mechanisms implicated in gestational
metabolic.
Keywords
trauma - PTSD - stress - metabolic disorders during pregnancy - gestational diabetes
mellitus - hypertensive disorders of pregnancy - fetal growth restriction