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Am J Perinatol 1999; Volume 16(Number 10): 0543-0548
DOI: 10.1055/s-1999-7284
Copyright © 1999 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 760-0888 x 132

SIZE AT BIRTH IN AN INNER-CITY POPULATION

C. Cazano1 , B.K. Russell2 , L.P. Brion
  • Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Division of Neonatology, Bronx, New York
  • 1Current affiliation: Wyckoff Height Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York
  • 2Current affiliation: Bronx Lebanon Hospital, Bronx, New York.
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Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 1999 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Recent comparisons of growth curves and incidence of low birth weight are available for Caucasians and African-Americans or Hispanics. To compare size at birth in Hispanics with African-Americans in an inner-city population, we analyzed data on mother-infant pairs admitted to Jacobi Medical Center from January 1, 1995 until May 31, 1997 and those with a gestational age less than 34 weeks admitted from June 1, 1997 until December 31, 1997. The population mostly included mothers covered by Medicaid. The study sample included 2852 infants (1641 Hispanics and 1211 African-Americans). Among singletons, the incidence of teenage pregnancy was higher and those of premature delivery and low birth weight were lower in Hispanics than in African-Americans. Among full-term singletons, boys were heavier than girls (difference 116 g, confidence interval (CI) 57,174, p < 0.001 after adjusting for gestational age, gender, and teenage pregnancy), and Hispanics were heavier than African-Americans (adjusted difference 70 g, Confidence Interval (CI) 11,128, p = 0.019). Additional studies are needed to assess the effect of race on neonatal size after adjusting for differences in prepregnancy weight, weight gain, parity, social class, or other factors.

KEYWORD

Birth weight - length - head circumference - ponderal index - race - gender

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