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Birth weight and perinatal mortality: The effect of gestational age

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  • Wilcox, A.J.
  • Skjoerven, R.

Abstract

Background. The strong association between birth weight and perinatal mortality is due both to gestational age and to factors unrelated to gestational age. Conventional analysis obscures these separate contributions to perinatal mortality, and over-emphasizes the role of birth weight. An alternative approach is used here to separate gestational age from other factors. Methods. Data are from 400 000 singleton births in the Norwegian Medical Birth Registry. The method of Wilcox and Russell is used to distinguish the contributions to perinatal mortality made by gestational age and by relative birth weight at each gestational age. Results. Gestational age is a powerful predictor of birth weight and perinatal survival. After these effects of gestational age are controlled for, relative birth weight retains a strong association with survival. Conclusions. Current public health policies in the United States emphasize the prevention of low birth weight. The present analysis suggests that the prevention of early delivery would benefit babies of all birth weights.

Suggested Citation

  • Wilcox, A.J. & Skjoerven, R., 1992. "Birth weight and perinatal mortality: The effect of gestational age," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 82(3), pages 378-382.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:1992:82:3:378-382_0
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    Cited by:

    1. W. Frisbie & Douglas Forbes & Starling Pullum, 1996. "Compromised birth outcomes and infant mortality among racial and ethnic groups," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 33(4), pages 469-481, November.
    2. Shai Mulinari & Sol Pia Juárez & Philippe Wagner & Juan Merlo, 2015. "Does Maternal Country of Birth Matter for Understanding Offspring’s Birthweight? A Multilevel Analysis of Individual Heterogeneity in Sweden," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(5), pages 1-19, May.
    3. Ghouse, Ghulam & Zaid, Muhammad, 2016. "Determinants of Low Birth Weight a Cross Sectional Study: In Case of Pakistan," MPRA Paper 70660, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Patricio Solís & Starling G. Pullum & W. Frisbie, 2000. "Demographic models of birth outcomes and infant mortality: An alternative measurement approach," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 37(4), pages 489-498, November.
    5. Sai Ma & Brian Finch, 2010. "Birth Outcome Measures and Infant Mortality," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 29(6), pages 865-891, December.
    6. Richard J. Butler & Barbara L. Wilson & William G. Johnson, 2012. "A modified measure of health care disparities applied to birth weight disparities and subsequent mortality," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 21(2), pages 113-126, February.
    7. Jonas Minet Kinge & Jostein Grytten, 2021. "The impact of primary care physician density on perinatal health: Evidence from a natural experiment," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(12), pages 2974-2994, December.

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