Exposure to Hurricane Katrina, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Birth Outcomes

• 2008

  Log in to bookmark this resource.

  Log in
• Xu Xiong; Emily Harville; Donald Mattison; Karen Elkind-Hirsch; Gabriella Pridjian; Pierre Buekens
PMID: 18703903DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/maj.0b013e318180f21c

---

Access Resources

• Journal ArticleEN
• Ask aRCie About This Resource

About

This article examines the impact of Hurricane Katrina on pregnancy outcomes, focusing on mental health and birth outcomes of women exposed to the disaster. Data was collected from 301 pregnant women in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, assessing their experiences during the hurricane, symptoms of PTSD and depression, and birth outcomes. Women with high hurricane exposure had higher frequencies of low birth weight and preterm birth compared to those with lower exposure. The study suggests that specific severe disaster events and the intensity of the experience may be key factors in predicting poor pregnancy outcomes. Recommendations include earlier evacuation planning for pregnant women in disaster preparedness efforts.

---

Tags

Focus Areas: Mental Health; Severe Weather

Audience: Behavioral Health Professionals

Emergency Management Stage: Recovery

Bundles: Disaster Research Literature Review

Keywords: Birth Weight; Depression; Disaster Planning; Disasters; Infant, Low Birth Weight; Louisiana; Natural Disasters; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Pregnancy Outcome; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Premature Birth

Institutions: Tulane University; National Institutes of Health (NIH); Woman's Hospital

---

More like this

Child and Adolescent Psychosocial Support Programs Following Natural Disasters - A Scoping Review of Emerging Evidence 2021 · University of Melbourne, Deakin University, American University, National Bureau of Economic Research, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), The University of Queensland Uttarakhand Disaster 2013: A Report on Psychosocial Adversities Experienced by Children and Adolescents 2016 · National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences Policy and Administrative Issues for Large-Scale Clinical Interventions Following Disasters 2014 · Tulane University, The University of Queensland

---

The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only. It does not substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

---