Relation of maternal ethnicity to infant birthweight in east London, England.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to determine whether black race is a risk factor for very low birthweight in a developed country other than the United States.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was performed.


METHODS
We analyzed a dataset of 1987-1990 birth records from three hospitals in East London, England.


METHODS
All live born African (N = 3,495), West Indian (N = 3,471), and European white (N = 20,313) singleton infants born to East London residents.


METHODS
For each ethnic group, we calculated the proportion of very low birthweight (< 1500g) and moderately low birthweight (1500-2499g) infants.


RESULTS
The very low birthweight rate was 2.9% for infants of West Indian descent and 2.2% for infants of African descent vs. 1.3% for European whites; odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 2.1(1.7-2.8) and 1.8(1.2-3.1), respectively. West Indian and white mothers were similar in terms of age, social support, and prenatal care. African mothers were older and had less social support. The West Indian:white and African:white differentials in very low birthweight rates persisted among low risk mothers; odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 2.7(1.7-4.0) and 2.3(1.5-3.6), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that black race is a risk factor for very low birthweight in the United Kingdom.
Collins
J W
JW
Department of Pediatrics, Children's Memorial Hospital/Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois 60614, USA.
Derrick
M
M
Hilder
L
L
Kempley
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa / Q000208:ethnology; D001741:Black or African American; D001724:Birth Weight; D044383:Black People; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D009035:Mothers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014900:West Indies / Q000208:ethnology; D044465:White People