Relation of maternal low birth weight to infant growth retardation and prematurity.
OBJECTIVE
This study sought to determine the relationship between maternal birth weight, infant intrauterine growth retardation, and prematurity.


METHODS
Stratified and logistic regression analyses were performed on a dataset of computerized Illinois vital records of African American (N = 61,849) and White (N = 203,698) infants born between 1989 and 1991 and their mothers born between 1956 and 1975.


RESULTS
Race-specific rates of small-for-gestational age (weight-for-gestational age <10th percentile) and preterm (<37 weeks) infants rose as maternal birth weight declined. The adjusted (controlling for maternal age, education, marital status, parity, prenatal care utilization, and cigarette smoking) odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of small-for-gestational age for maternal low birth weight (<2,500 g) among African Americans and Whites were 1.7 (1.1.4-1.9) and 1.8 (1.7-2.0), respectively. The adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of prematurity for maternal low birth weight (<2,500 g) among African Americans and Whites were 1.6 (1.3-1.9) and 1.3 (1.0-1.6), respectively. The racial disparity in the rates of small-for-gestational age and prematurity persisted independent of maternal birth weight: adjusted odds ratio equaled 2.2 (2.1-2.4) and 1.5 (1.4-1.7), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal low birth weight is a risk factor for infant intrauterine growth retardation and prematurity among African Americans independent of maternal risk status during pregnancy; it is a risk factor for infant intrauterine growth retardation among Whites. Maternal low birth weight fails to explain the racial disparity in the rates of small-for-gestational age and premature infants.
Simon
Dyan M
DM
Department of Pediatrics, Children's Memorial Hospital, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Vyas
Shilpa
S
Prachand
Nikhil G
NG
David
Richard J
RJ
Collins
James W
JW
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009035:Mothers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data