Risk of very low birth weight based on perinatal periods of risk.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the risk factors associated with having a very low birth weight (VLBW) infant as a follow-up to the first phase of a Perinatal Periods of Risk approach.


METHODS
Retrospective cohort analysis of birth certificates. Population-based sample of 53,427 birth certificates for the city under study during the years 1999-2006.


METHODS
The relationship of selected maternal characteristics as predictors of VLBW using multivariate logistic regression analysis.


RESULTS
The maternal characteristics associated with VLBW were as follows: no prenatal care (OR = 4.04), inadequate weight gain (OR = 3.97), Black, non-Hispanic race (OR = 1.50), less than 20 years old (OR = 1.42) and more than 35 years old (OR = 1.43). After analyzing age and race/ethnicity together, Black non-Hispanic women less than 20 years of age (OR = 2.70) or over 35 years of age (OR = 2.45) still had an increased odds for having a VLBW infant whereas Black non-Hispanic women between the ages of 20 and 35 did not.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this study suggest educating women on the importance of preconception care, prenatal care, and adequate pregnancy weight gain to reduce the odds of having a VLBW infant.
Epidemiology, Planning, and Communication, Tri-County Health Department, Greenwood Village, Colorado.
Christine M
CM
Demont-Heinrich
Allison P
AP
Hawkes
Tista
T
Ghosh
Rita
R
Beam
Richard L
RL
Vogt
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001719:Birth Certificates; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D009035:Mothers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D015430:Weight Gain; D055815:Young Adult
infant mortality; prenatal care; very low birth weight; weight gain