Asian-Americans comprise a rapidly growing segment of the U.S. population and encompass several distinct ethnic groups. Perinatal investigations have focused on some Asian-American groups, e.g., Japanese, Chinese and Filipino, but Asian-Indians (A-I) have received less attention. NCHS has recently expanded their coding of race on vital records to allow for the identification of births to A-I mothers. This study examines the maternal socio-demographic, prenatal care, fetal growth and survival characteristics of U.S.-born infants to A-I mothers. Single live births to U.S. resident A-I mothers (N=54,832) were selected for analysis from the 1992-96 U.S. Natality Files and infant mortality data were drawn from the 1995-96 U.S. Linked Live Birth-Infant Death Files. The outcomes and characteristics of comparably selected births to White and African-American (A-A) mothers residing in the seven reporting states were used for comparisons. A-I mothers were significantly less likely than either Whites or A-As to be unmarried, <18 years of age, and to have low educational attainment. They were more likely than Whites, but not A-As, to have less than adequate prenatal care. The vast majority (92%) of A-I mothers were not U.S.-born. The percentages of preterm (8.6), very preterm (1.3), and very low birth weight (0.9) for A-Is were more similar to those of Whites. However, A-Is had higher small-for gestational age (16.7) and term-low birth weight (4.0) percentages than either Whites or A-As. In spite of their distinct and relatively adverse fetal growth pattern, the infant mortality rate of A-Is compared favorably to that of Whites.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to: 1) describe the maternal socio-demographic, prenatal care, fetal growth and survival characteristics of U.S.-born infants to Asian-Indian mothers; 2) describe the extent to which the material risk characteristics and birth outcomes of Asian-American differ from those of Whites and African-Americans; and, 3) describe the unique fetal growth patterns of Asian-American infants
Keywords: Ethnicity, Low Birthweight
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.