Low birth weight across generations.
OBJECTIVE
This study sought to determine the relationship between maternal birth weight, prenatal care usage, and infant birth weight.


METHODS
Stratified and logistic regression analyses were performed on a dataset of computerized Illinois vital records of White (N = 187, 074) and African-American (N = 58,856) infants born between 1989 and 1991 and their mothers born between 1956 and 1975.


RESULTS
Among White mothers who received adequate prenatal care, the low birth weight (<2500 g) rate was 4% for infants of former low birth weight mothers (N = 5230) compared to 2.1% for infants of former nonlow birth weight mothers (N = 93,011), relative risk equaled 1.9(1.7-2.2); the population attributable risk of maternal low birth weight was 4.1%. Among African American mothers who received adequate prenatal care, the low birth weight rate was 15% for infants of former low birth weight mothers (N = 2196) compared to 7.2% for infants of former nonlow birth weight mothers (N = 14,607), relative risk equaled 2.1(1.9-2.4); the population attributable risk of maternal low birth weight was 10.9%. The maternal-infant birth weight associations were consistent across all maternal age, education, marital status, and prenatal care categories.


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal low birth weight is a risk factor for infant low birth weight independent of risk status during the current pregnancy. A greater percentage of low birth weight African American (compared to White) infants are attributable to maternal low birth weight.
Collins
James W
JW
Department of Pediatrics, Children's Memorial Hospital, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60614, USA. jcollins@northwestern.edu
David
Richard J
RJ
Prachand
Nikhil G
NG
Pierce
Michelle L
ML
D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight / Q000235:genetics*; D044383:Black People / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois / Q000453:epidemiology; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D011295:Prenatal Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics; D001741:Black or African American