Parent Herald:
New study shows pregnant women exposed to violence could cause preterm birth and low birthweight
20 April 2016
A new study published by scientists at the University of Leicester suggests that pregnant women who are exposed to violence are more likely to experience preterm birth and even low birthweight for the baby. Researchers based this study on the violence that is happening specifically in Fortaleza, Brazil and its effects on childbirth, as mothers are exposed to crime and hostility on a daily basis.
The team is led by Professor Marco Manacorda of Queen Mary University of London and Dr. Martin Foureaux Koppensteiner of the University of Leicester. Scientists assigned to this project used mothers who have witnessed a homicide in the area and mothers who also live in the same place without having to see any crime of killing.