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Armed conflict and birth weight: Evidence from the al-Aqsa Intifada

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  • Mansour, Hani
  • Rees, Daniel I.

Abstract

No previous study has estimated the effect of intrauterine exposure to armed conflict on pregnancy outcomes. Drawing on data from the 2004 Palestinian Demographic and Health Survey, which was conducted approximately 4years after the start of the al-Aqsa Intifada, we find that an additional conflict-related fatality 9–6months before birth is associated with a modest increase in the probability of having a child who weighed less than 2500g. There is also evidence, albeit less consistent, of a positive relationship between fatalities in late pregnancy and low birth weight.

Suggested Citation

  • Mansour, Hani & Rees, Daniel I., 2012. "Armed conflict and birth weight: Evidence from the al-Aqsa Intifada," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 99(1), pages 190-199.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:deveco:v:99:y:2012:i:1:p:190-199
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2011.12.005
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Birth weight; Prenatal stress; Malnutrition; Israeli–Palestinian conflict;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior

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