The investigation of missing paternal information in birth certificates and low birth weight.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if missing paternal information in birth certificates is associated with an increased risk of low birth weight (LBW).


METHODS
This was a retrospective single cohort analysis including all live births at our institution between April 1999 and May 2002. We created two study groups, one with father's information complete (FIC) and one with father's information missing (FIM). We utilised a three-tier approach (univariate analysis, multivariate analysis and propensity matching) to determine if FIM was related to LBW.


RESULTS
Univariate analysis showed a significant difference in LBW rates between the FIM and FIC groups (14.6 vs. 9.1%, p < 0.001). However, this difference was not observed in the multivariate (odds ratio = 1, p = 0.858, ns) or propensity matching analysis (13.9 vs. 13.8%, p = 0.954, ns).


CONCLUSIONS
After controlling for LBW risk factors, FIM was not an independent predictor of LBW.
Bracero
Luis
L
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Robert C. Byrd Health Science Center Charleston Division and Women & Children's Hospital, West Virginia University, Charleston, WV 25304, USA.
Broce
Mike
M
Kali
Maher
M
Nguyen
Michelle
M
Reyes
Bernardo
B