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Does maternal prenatal care use predict infant immunization delay?

J M Wiecha1, P Gann

  • 1Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester.

Family Medicine
|March 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Maternal factors like multiparity and missed prenatal care appointments are linked to delayed infant DTP immunizations. Identifying these risks can help manage infants needing timely vaccination.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Infant immunization rates in the U.S. lag behind other industrialized nations, particularly in urban areas.
  • Predictors for inadequate childhood immunization are not well-established.
  • The link between prenatal care use and childhood vaccination status requires further definition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between prenatal care utilization and infant immunization adequacy.
  • To identify maternal and demographic factors associated with delayed DTP vaccination.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective study analyzed medical records of 163 mother-infant pairs.
  • Adequacy of immunization was defined as three DTP vaccines by 10 months of age.
  • Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for immunization delay.

Main Results:

  • 29.4% of infants did not receive three DTP immunizations by 10 months.
  • Risk factors for delayed immunization included multiparity, Hispanic ethnicity (English-speaking), and missed prenatal care appointments.
  • A significant interaction was observed between high missed prenatal visit rates and social services receipt, indicating highest risk for those with both.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal demographics and healthcare utilization patterns are significant predictors of infant immunization rates.
  • These predictive variables can facilitate early identification and case management for infants at risk of delayed vaccination.
Abstract

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