Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #111132

Ayman A.E. El-Mohandes, MD, MPH¹, Hany Aly, MD², Tarek Hammad, PhD¹, Phil Urso, MD³, and Charles Macri, MD³. (1) School of Public Health and Health Services - Prevention and Community Health, George Washington University, 2175 K Street, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20037, 202-416-415, sphaxe@gwumc.edu, (2) Newborn Services, George Washington University, 900 23rd Street, Washington, DC 20037, (3) Obstetrics and Gynecology, George Washington University, Ambulatory Care Center, 2150 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 6A-412, Washington, DC 20037

Objective: Evaluate potential modifying effects of maternal age and racial group on low birth weight (LBW) and preterm birth (P).

Design/Methods: Retrospective analysis conducted on perinatal data covering 1990 to 2004 from George Washington University Hospital. Mother/infant pairs (n=14,956) were divided into African American (AA, n=6,933) and Caucasian (C, n=8,023). Mothers classified by 5-year age cohorts (from 14 to 39, mothers >40 grouped in one cohort). Trends for LBW and P were analyzed using Cochran-Armitage tests. Bivariate and multivariate analyses controlled for significant differences between groups.

Results: Premature birth peaks for AA in the two oldest cohorts (20 and 21.3%) but in the youngest two for C (17.9 and 19%). In the logistic model, there was no statistical association between maternal age distribution and prematurity. LBW in AA ranged from13.1 to 14.2%, except in the 35-39 cohort and 40+ cohort (16.1%, 17.3%; p=0.02). For C the 20-24 cohort had 13.9%. LBW otherwise was constant for all other ages (7.2 - 8 %; p=0.20). There were higher rates of teen pregnancy among AA than C (7.3 vs. 0.35%), as well as births to mothers < 30yo (53.6% vs. 16.6%). Conclusions: The effect of maternal age on LBW is different in AA and C mothers. A significant trend in LBW is observed in the AA group where young age is not associated with LBW. Mothers >35 are at an increased risk. No such influence is observed in C mothers.

Learning Objectives:

• The participant will be able to describe the relationship between race and maternal age on birth weight and prematurity.

Keywords: Reproductive Morbidity, Epidemiology

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.