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Published on: January 12, 2018
Birth outcomes of Asian-Indian-Americans
G R Alexander1, M S Wingate, J Mor
1University of South Florida, USA.
Summary
Asian-Indian-American mothers have fewer risk factors but higher rates of low birth weight (LBW) and small-for-gestational age (SGA) births compared to White and African-American mothers. Infant mortality rates were lower for Asian-Indian-American infants.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal epidemiology
- Maternal and infant health disparities
- Racial and ethnic variations in birth outcomes
Background:
- Understanding variations in birth outcomes across racial and ethnic groups is crucial for public health.
- Previous research often links socioeconomic factors to adverse birth outcomes, but patterns may differ among specific populations.
- Asian-Indian-American (AIA) mothers represent a growing demographic in the U.S. with unique socioeconomic and cultural characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine and compare maternal characteristics and infant birth outcomes among U.S. resident Asian-Indian-American (AIA) mothers.
- To compare these outcomes against those of U.S. resident White and African-American (AA) mothers.
- To investigate whether AIA birth outcomes align with established paradigms of minority health disparities.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the 1995-2000 U.S. National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Linked Live Birth/Infant Death files.
- Included single live births to mothers identified as AIA, non-Hispanic White, or non-Hispanic African-American (AA).
- Analyzed maternal demographics (age, marital status, parity, education) and infant outcomes (birth weight, gestational age, infant death).
Main Results:
- AIA mothers exhibited lower rates of births to teenagers, unmarried mothers, high parity, and mothers with low educational attainment compared to AA and White mothers.
- Despite favorable maternal characteristics, AIA infants had the highest risk for low birth weight (LBW), small-for-gestational age (SGA), and term SGA births.
- Infant mortality risk for AIA infants was only slightly higher than Whites and significantly lower than AAs.
Conclusions:
- The birth outcomes for Asian-Indian-American infants challenge the conventional public health model.
- This model posits that more disadvantaged minority populations experience higher rates of low birth weight, preterm births, and subsequent infant mortality.
- Findings suggest a complex interplay of factors influencing birth outcomes beyond traditional socioeconomic and demographic indicators.
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