Abnormal birth weight among term gestation infants in Newfoundland and Labrador : trends and determinants

Abstract

Birth registration data were used to describe birth weight trends for term singletons born to residents of Newfoundland and Labrador from 1992-2005, and identify maternal and neighbourhood-level risk factors for high and low birth weight outcomes. A significant decrease in low birth weight from 1992 to 1995 was accompanied by significant increases in mean birth weight and high birth weight. Low birth weight was significantly associated with female infants, mothers aged 35+, mothers not legally married, separated, widowed or divorced, mothers living in neighbourhoods in the lowest socioeconomic status decile, mothers having less than high school education, hypertension, and smoking during pregnancy. High birth weight was significantly associated with parity, education beyond high school, and mothers who were anemic or had insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Rates of high birth weight will likely continue to rise given current trends.