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[Social class and birth weight]
A M Nødtvedt1, G Jacobsen, P Balstad
1Institutt for samfunnsmedisinske fag, Det medisinske fakultet, Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet, Trondheim.
Summary
Scandinavian children
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Sociology
- Public Health
Context:
- Investigated birthweight variations in Scandinavian children based on parental social class.
- Utilized data from an international multicenter study on fetal growth and perinatal outcomes.
- Employed the British five-class system for socioeconomic stratification, adapting from the Nordic classification of occupations.
Purpose:
- To determine if birthweight differs significantly across socioeconomic strata in Scandinavian populations.
- To explore the relationship between maternal socioeconomic status and infant birthweight.
- To analyze the impact of socioeconomic mobility on birth outcomes.
Summary:
- Female newborns in the lowest social class (V) had significantly lower birthweights (301g less) compared to other classes.
- Maternal downward socioeconomic mobility was associated with lower birthweights (117g less) than upward mobility.
- These birthweight disparities, particularly pronounced in females, may be linked to lifestyle factors like smoking and BMI, and potentially genetic influences.
Impact:
- Highlights the influence of socioeconomic factors on birthweight in Scandinavian populations.
- Underscores the need for targeted public health interventions for lower socioeconomic groups.
- Provides evidence for the role of lifestyle and socioeconomic status in perinatal health outcomes.