Tobacco erases 30 years of progress: preliminary analysis of the effect of tobacco smoking on Alaska Native birth weight.
OBJECTIVE
Investigate the relationship between tobacco and/or alcohol use and Alaska Native birth weight.


METHODS
Data on weight, tobacco smoking and alcohol use among Alaska Natives were abstracted from 1989-91 Indian Health Service natality records based on birth certificates.


RESULTS
Birth certificate data were available for 9,175 live births. Single live births were analyzed for 8,994 Alaska Natives. In women with no tobacco smoking the mean birth weight of their infants was 3,571 g; 1-5 cigarettes/day 3,429 g; 6-10 cigarettes/day 3,332 g (p < .05); and > 10 cigarettes/day 3,260 g (p < .05). Infants of Alaska Natives who reported no alcohol and no tobacco use had a mean birth weight of 3,579 g; alcohol use but no tobacco use 3,452 g; no alcohol but tobacco use 3,388 g; and both alcohol and tobacco use 3,281 g. (p < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
The mean birth weight of infants born to Alaska Native women with the highest use of tobacco were reduced by over 300 g compared to non-smoking Alaska Native women. Mean infant birth weight of tobacco smoking Yup'ik women in 1989-91 were reduced by over 400 g, comparable to weights reported in the 1960s.
Murphy
N J
NJ
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alaska Native Medical Center, Anchorage 99501, USA.
Butler
S W
SW
Petersen
K M
KM
Heart
V
V
Murphy
C M
CM
D000413:Alaska / Q000453:epidemiology; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D001719:Birth Certificates; D001724:Birth Weight; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D004930:Inuit / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000453:epidemiology; D000074606:Smoking Prevention