The Influence of Socioeconomic Status on Incidence of Low Birth Weight

Abstract

maturity of the infant at birth has attracted attention for its critical role as a determinant in outcome of pregnancy. It is now generally recognized that birth weight is only one indicator of developmental maturity and that gestational age also is critically significant. Nevertheless, in most studies the criterion of birth weight continues to be relied on for its comparative usefulness in the collection of data on a mass scale because it is subject to less error than other measures of maturity. Improvement has been noted in data concerning gestational age but it still is believed to be less accurately reported (1). Generally, infants weighing 2,500 grams or less at birth are consid-Mr. Rosenwaike is biostatistician in the center for health statistics,

Risk of Preterm Birth in Multiparous Teenagers

“…White and Hispanic multiparas were more likely than black multiparas to have inadequate education. Table 2 shows percentages of preterm births (Ͻ37 weeks' gestational age), moderate preterm births (33)(34)(35)(36) weeks' gestational age), and very preterm births (Ͻ33 weeks' gestational age) by race/ethnicity group. Percentages of moderate preterm and very preterm births decline with…”

“…In general, education has been shown to be a good indicator of socioeconomic status and a strong predictor of reproductive outcomes. 15,33,34 However, the significance of this indicator for adolescents who are more likely to be in the process of completing their education is less clear, mainly because there is limited variation in this group by level of schooling. 34 In this study, we use a measure that better distinguishes educational achievement in those still younger than the age of high school graduation.…”