Optimal birth weight and term mortality risk differ among different ethnic groups in the U.S

Area of Science:

• Perinatal Epidemiology
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Optimal birth weight for minimal mortality varies across European countries.
• Ethnic disparities in birth weight and neonatal mortality exist within single geopolitical populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate ethnic differences in optimal birth weight and associated neonatal mortality rates.
• To examine the influence of parental ethnicity on birth weight and mortality in U.S. term live births.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of U.S. term live births stratified by five parental ethnic groups: White, Black, Hispanic, North Asian, and South Asian.
• Comparison of mean birth weight, optimal birth weight, and neonatal mortality rates across ethnic groups.
• Assessment of maternal factors and parental ethnicity's role in observed disparities.

Main Results:

• Whites had the highest mean birth weight, while South Asians had the lowest.
• Neonatal mortality rates were significantly higher in Whites compared to North Asians and South Asians.
• Optimal birth weight was greatest in Whites and least in South Asians, but North Asians had the lowest neonatal mortality at their optimal birth weight.

Conclusions:

• Optimal birth weight and its associated neonatal mortality risk are significantly influenced by parental ethnicity.
• Maternal factors, excluding ethnicity, minimally explained the observed disparities in birth weight and mortality.
• Ethnicity-specific considerations are crucial for optimizing birth outcomes and mitigating mortality risks in diverse populations.