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Size at birth in an inner-city population
C Cazano1, B K Russell, L P Brion
1Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Division of Neonatology, Bronx, New York, USA.
American Journal of Perinatology
|June 30, 2000
Summary
Hispanic newborns were heavier than African-American newborns in this inner-city population. This study compared birth size and incidence of low birth weight between these groups.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal research
- Perinatal epidemiology
- Public health
Background:
- Existing data on birth weight and growth curves primarily compare Caucasian, African-American, and Hispanic populations.
- Inner-city populations present unique demographic and health considerations for neonatal outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare neonatal size at birth between Hispanic and African-American infants within an inner-city setting.
- To analyze incidence of premature delivery and low birth weight in these populations.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of mother-infant pairs admitted to Jacobi Medical Center between 1995 and 1997.
- Inclusion of infants with gestational age less than 34 weeks for a specific period.
- Statistical adjustment for factors including gestational age, gender, and teenage pregnancy.
Main Results:
- Hispanic singletons had lower rates of teenage pregnancy, premature delivery, and low birth weight compared to African-Americans.
- Full-term singleton Hispanic infants were heavier than African-American infants (adjusted difference 70 g, p=0.019).
- Male infants were heavier than female infants among full-term singletons (adjusted difference 116 g, p<0.001).
Conclusions:
- Hispanic infants exhibited greater birth weight than African-American infants in this urban cohort.
- Further research is necessary to explore the impact of various factors on neonatal size differences.
- Findings highlight the need for tailored perinatal care strategies considering racial and socioeconomic disparities.