The relationship between maternal characteristics, birth weight and pre-term delivery: evidence from Germany at the end of the 20th century.
Using data from a sample of German women, this paper analyzes the relationship between maternal characteristics and infants' birth weight and pre-term delivery. Besides typical epidemiological factors that influence the weight of infants, such as the gestational age and maternal BMI at the beginning of the pregnancy, we find a West--East gradient. Within West Germany, there is a small North-South gradient in birth weight, with larger birth weights in the north. Better educated mothers give birth to heavier babies and have a somewhat decreased risk of pre-term delivery. Income plays a minor role, while occupational status is not associated with the weight of infants at all.
Voigt
Manfred
M
University Hospital for Gynecology and Obstetrics of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.
Heineck
Guido
G
Hesse
Volker
V
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009790:Occupations; D011247:Pregnancy; D012111:Residence Characteristics