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Birth outcome, not pregnancy process: reply to van der Veen
W P Frisbie1, D Forbes, R A Hummer
1Population Research Center, University of Texas at Austin 78712, USA. frisbie@prc.utexas.edu.Douglas Forbes
Demography
|December 16, 1998
Summary
This study clarifies the utility of using postnatal measures for assessing infant birth outcomes, including moderately compromised births, to better understand racial/ethnic disparities and infant health risks.
Area of Science:
- Demography
- Public Health
- Perinatology
Background:
- The study addresses racial/ethnic differences in birth outcomes using a detailed classification system.
- A critique focused on the measurement of infant maturity using postnatal standards for intrauterine growth assessment.
Discussion:
- The objective was to analyze birth outcomes, not the pregnancy process itself.
- The methodology extends existing demographic and public health research by utilizing postnatal measures as outcomes or risk factors.
- The study specifically investigated whether moderately compromised births pose higher risks compared to normal births.
Key Insights:
- Postnatal measures are valuable for assessing infant health and mortality risks.
- A refined classification of birth outcomes can reveal important demographic and public health insights.
- The research validates the utility of the chosen methodology for analyzing birth outcomes.
Outlook:
- Further research can build upon this methodology to explore infant morbidity and mortality.
- Continued investigation into racial/ethnic disparities in birth outcomes is crucial.
- The findings support the use of detailed birth outcome classifications in public health surveillance.