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Maternal ethnicity and birthweight among blacks
D J Friedman1, B B Cohen, C M Mahan
1Bureau of Health Statistics, Research, and Evaluation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston.
Ethnicity & Disease
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Black ethnicity and birthweight disparities were examined. American-born Black infants had lower birthweights and higher risks of low birthweight compared to other Black ethnic groups.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal epidemiology
- Sociodemographic factors in infant health
Background:
- Birthweight is a critical indicator of infant health.
- Understanding ethnic variations in birthweight among Black populations is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between ethnicity and birthweight among Black women in Massachusetts.
- To compare birthweight and low birthweight risks across different Black ethnic groups and non-Hispanic whites.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of birth certificate data from 1987-1989 for 18,571 Black infants and 206,358 non-Hispanic white infants.
- Categorization of Black infants into six ethnic groups: American, Haitian, West Indian, Cape Verdean, Hispanic, and other Black.
- Use of multiple linear and logistic regression to adjust for maternal and infant characteristics.
Main Results:
- American-born Black infants exhibited lower mean birthweights.
- Compared to non-Hispanic whites, Americans (OR=1.49), other Blacks (OR=1.41), and West Indians (OR=1.37) showed significantly higher odds of low birthweight.
- Ethnic variations in birthweight and low birthweight risk were observed within the Black population.
Conclusions:
- Ethnicity is a significant factor associated with birthweight disparities among Black women.
- Targeted public health strategies may be needed to address the elevated risk of low birthweight in specific Black ethnic groups, particularly American-born individuals.