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Variation in infant birth weight: socioeconomic factors versus medical conditions

Kennith G Hunter1, M Mark Taslimi

  • 1Health Management Corporation, USA.

Journal of Health and Human Services Administration
|November 13, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Socioeconomic factors and medical conditions significantly influence infant birth weight. Gestational age, sex, parity, and health insurance were key predictors, explaining 64% of birth weight variation in a study of 621 infants.

Area of Science:

  • Maternal and Child Health
  • Biostatistics
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Infant birth weight is a critical indicator of neonatal health and long-term development.
  • Understanding factors influencing low birth weight (LBW) is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the relative impact of socioeconomic variables and medical conditions on infant birth weight.
  • To identify significant predictors of infant birth weight and low birth weight (LBW).

Main Methods:

  • Ordinary least squares regression analysis was employed.
  • The study analyzed data from 621 infants, examining various independent variables.
  • A subset analysis was conducted on 18 infants with low birth weight (LBW).

Main Results:

  • Four variables—gestational age, sex, parity, and health insurance—significantly predicted infant birth weight (P<.05), explaining 64% of the variance.
  • In a specific subgroup of infants born to mothers under 18 or over 35 years old, only gestational age remained statistically significant.

Conclusions:

  • Gestational age, sex, parity, and health insurance are significant determinants of infant birth weight.
  • Maternal age and its interaction with other factors may require further investigation for low birth weight (LBW) prediction.

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