title: Maternal exposure to unexpected economic contraction and birth weight for gestational age.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The macro-level economy may affect fetal health through maternal behavioral or physiologic responses.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used a multilevel design to examine associations between exposure to state-level unexpected economic contraction during each trimester of gestation and birth weight for gestational age percentile and small for gestational age (SGA), using the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979. We examined differences in observed associations by maternal educational attainment, race/ethnicity, employment status, and poverty status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Exposure in the first trimester was associated with a 3.7 percentile point decrease in birth weight for gestational age (95% confidence interval [CI] = -6.8 to -0.6). This association appeared stronger for women "keeping house" or with <12 years education. Exposure in the first trimester was also associated with increased odds of SGA (odds ratio = 1.5 [95% CI = 1.1 to 2.1]) and term SGA (odds ratio = 1.6 [95% CI = 1.2 to 2.3]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Unexpected economic contraction during early pregnancy may be associated with reduced fetal growth.
authors: Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. cmargerison@berkeley.edu
authors: Claire E
authors: CE
authors: Margerison-Zilko
authors: Ralph
authors: R
authors: Catalano
authors: Alan
authors: A
authors: Hubbard
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Ahern
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D057172:Economic Recession / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004522:Educational Status; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age / Q000523:psychology; D016015:Logistic Models; D011203:Poverty / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011264:Pregnancy Trimesters / Q000523:psychology; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult