Is the immigrant condition associated with low birth weight?

Abstract

Background: Birth weight is the most important predictor of newborn health and can be associated with the neonatal and post-neonatal mortality. The aim of this study was to quantify the prevalence of low birth weight in a sample of newborns and to compare with maternal birthplace. Participants and methods: In a cross-sectional approach we evaluated 1601 mother-child pairs (499 immigrant and 1102 Portuguese). Immigrants and their child were consecutively selected during the year 2010 in twenty-one Portuguese maternity hospitals. For each immigrant selected, two Portuguese were included in the study, based on the hospital’s records admission (previous and next admission). Data was collected in a face-to-face interview on the second day after delivery and with the consultation of medical hospital records. Low birth weight (LBW) is defined as a birth weight of less than 2500g and very low birth weight (VLBW) less than 1500g. Premature birth was considered if the baby was born before completing 37 weeks.

Results: The prevalence of premature birth was 7.5% in Portuguese and 5.5% in immigrants (p<0.01). The prevalence of LBW in Portuguese newborns was 6.0% and in immigrants was 6.4% (p=0.41). The prevalence of VLBW was 1.0% in both Portuguese and immigrants. The prevalence of LBW differed with maternal birthplace (Brazil = 7.3%, Eastern Europe = 3.3, Western Europe = 8.2%, Africa = 5.8, Asia = 11.1%, p<0.01).

Conclusions: These findings showed that the prevalence of low birth weight is similar to referred in others studies and is associated with socioeconomic and maternal variables, and not associated with immigrant condition.