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Low Birth Weight Across Generations

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Abstract

Objectives: This study sought to determine the relationship between maternal birth weight, prenatal care usage, and infant birth weight. Methods: Stratified and logistic regression analyses were performed on a dataset of computerized Illinois vital records of White (N = 187,074) and African-American (N = 58,856) infants born between 1989 and 1991 and their mothers born between 1956 and 1975. Results: Among White mothers who received adequate prenatal care, the low birth weight (<2500 g) rate was 4% for infants of former low birth weight mothers (N = 5230) compared to 2.1% for infants of former nonlow birth weight mothers (N = 93,011), relative risk equaled 1.9(1.7–2.2); the population attributable risk of maternal low birth weight was 4.1%. Among African American mothers who received adequate prenatal care, the low birth weight rate was 15% for infants of former low birth weight mothers (N = 2196) compared to 7.2% for infants of former nonlow birth weight mothers (N = 14,607), relative risk equaled 2.1(1.9–2.4); the population attributable risk of maternal low birth weight was 10.9%. The maternal–infant birth weight associations were consistent across all maternal age, education, marital status, and prenatal care categories. Conclusions: Maternal low birth weight is a risk factor for infant low birth weight independent of risk status during the current pregnancy. A greater percentage of low birth weight African American (compared to White) infants are attributable to maternal low birth weight.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Children's Memorial Hospital, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois

    James W. Collins Jr., Nikhil G. Prachand & Michelle L. Pierce

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Cook County Hospital, University of Illinois Medical School, Chicago, Illinois

    Richard J. David

Authors
  1. James W. Collins Jr.
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  2. Richard J. David
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  3. Nikhil G. Prachand
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  4. Michelle L. Pierce
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Collins, J.W., David, R.J., Prachand, N.G. et al. Low Birth Weight Across Generations. Matern Child Health J 7, 229–237 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1027371501476

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