Low birth weight in Kansas.
BACKGROUND
Low birth weight (LBW) is associated with infant morbidity and mortality. This is the first study of LBW in Kansas using vital statistics to determine maternal and health care system factors associated with LBW.


RESULTS
Low birth weight.


OBJECTIVE
Determine if prenatal care, maternal socio-demographic or medical factors, or insurance status were associated with LBW.


METHODS
Birth certificate data were merged with Medicaid eligibility data and subjected to logistic regression analysis.


RESULTS
Of the 37,081 single vaginal births, LBW rates were 5.5% overall, 10.8% for African Americans, and 5% for White Americans. Lacking private insurance was associated with 34% more LBW infants (AOR 1.34; 95% CI 1.13-1.58), increased comorbidity, and late or less prenatal care. Low birth weight was associated with maternal medical comorbidity and with previous adverse birth outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
Insurance status, prenatal care, and maternal health during pregnancy are associated with LBW. Private insurance was consistently associated with more prenatal care and better outcomes. This study has important implications regarding health care reform.
V James
VJ
Guillory
Sue Min
SM
Lai
R
R
Suminski
G
G
Crawford
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D019458:Insurance Coverage / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007615:Kansas / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008423:Maternal Age; D000068097:Maternal Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult