Objective. To determine whether the maternal nativity differential in infant birthweight among African-Americans and Mexican-Americans reflects the selective migration of biologically advantaged women.
Methods. We created a linked vital record dataset of infants (N=267,604) born in Illinois between 1989-1991 and their mothers born in Illinois between 1956-1976. In the maternal generation, the nativity of the mother (i.e. maternal grandmother) was coded as ‘Illinois’, ‘other US’, or ‘remainder of the world’. In the infant generation, the birth certificates contained a detailed maternal ethnicity variable which included separate codes for ‘non-US black’ (African and Afro-Caribbean) and ‘Mexican’ mothers. Families of infants with US-born maternal grandmothers were classified as established; families of infants with non-US-born maternal grandmothers were classified as non-established (p <0.0001).
Results. Among established families, 1) white female infants (N=90,069) weighed 65g more than their mothers; 2) black female infants (N=30,380) weighed 17g more than their mothers; and 3) Mexican-American female (N=1,898) infants weighed 11g more than their mothers. Among non-established families, 1) white female infants (N=3316) weighed 45g more than their mothers; 2) black female infants (N=102) weighed 57g less than their mothers; and 3) Mexican-American female infants (N=1010) weighed 28g less than their mothers.
Conclusions. The expected transgenerational increase in infant birthweight within non-established families occurs only among whites. The birthweight disadvantage of minority infants of US-born (compared to foreign-born) mothers does not result from selective migration. More likely, this phenomenon reflects the impact of a new social environment on maternal health that requires a generation to express itself.
Learning Objectives: To understand the differences in the transgenerational increase in infant birthweight among Whites, African-Americans, and Mexican-Americans
Keywords: Latino,
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.