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Longitudinal Rates and Risk Factors for Adverse Birth Weight Among First Nations Pregnancies in Alberta

Richard Thomas Oster1, Ellen Louise Toth1

  • 1Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta.

Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada : JOGC = Journal D'Obstetrique Et Gynecologie Du Canada : JOGC
|February 14, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Birth weight disparities persist for First Nations in Alberta, with higher rates of high birth weight and very low birth weight. However, these trends are not increasing, and manageable risk factors were identified.

Area of Science:

  • Perinatal health
  • Indigenous health research
  • Public health surveillance

Background:

  • Birth weight is a critical indicator of infant health and long-term outcomes.
  • Disparities in birth weight exist among Indigenous populations globally and within Canada.
  • Understanding trends and risk factors is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence and longitudinal trends of birth weight categories in First Nations populations in Alberta.
  • To identify associated risk factors for different birth weight categories among First Nations infants.
  • To compare these trends with the general population in Alberta.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of administrative data from 2000-2009 in Alberta.
  • Age-adjusted prevalence trends for high birth weight (HBW), very HBW, low birth weight (LBW), and very LBW were analyzed.
  • Logistic regression identified risk factors for birth weight categories.

Main Results:

  • First Nations ethnicity was a significant predictor of HBW, very HBW, and very LBW.
  • Prevalence of HBW decreased, while other categories remained stable in First Nations populations.
  • Identified manageable risk factors for HBW (gestational diabetes, maternal weight) and LBW (renal disease, hypertension, maternal weight, substance use).

Conclusions:

  • High birth weight, very high birth weight, and very low birth weight remain more prevalent in Alberta First Nations populations.
  • The prevalence of these birth weight categories is not increasing over time.
  • Targeted interventions addressing identified risk factors could mitigate disparities.
Abstract

Keywords:
Aboriginal populationBirth weightEpidemiologyIndigenous populationLongitudinalNorth AmericaRetrospective study

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