Birth weight and later socioeconomic disadvantage: evidence from the 1958 British cohort study

To investigate the relation between birth weight and socioeconomic disadvantage during childhood and adolescence in a birth cohort study.

Longitudinal analysis of birth weight in relation to social class, household amenities and overcrowding, and financial difficulties as reported by parents at interview when participants were aged 7, 11, and 16 years; and receipt of unemployment or supplementary benefits as reported by participants at age 23.

Male participants in the 1958 birth cohort (national child development study) born to parents resident in Great Britain during the week of 3-9 March 1958. Data on birth weight and financial difficulties between birth and 23 years were available for 4321; data on housing conditions and social class at ages 7, 11, and 16 years were available for 3370.

Socioeconomic disadvantage at later ages in men weighing 6 lb (2721g) or under at birth compared with those weighing over 6 lb and between fifths of the distribution of birth weight.

Cohort members who weighed 6 lb or under at birth were more likely to experience socioeconomic disadvantage subsequently. Those in lower fifths of the distribution were more likely to experience socioeconomic disadvantage.

Low birth weight is associated with socioeconomic disadvantage in childhood and adolescence. Studies of the association of indicators of early development and adult disease need to take into account experiences right through from birth to adulthood if they are to elucidate the combination of risks attributable to developmental problems and socioeconomic disadvantage.