Increase Seen in Number of Low Birth Weight Babies

Trend found in large U.S. cities, suburbs for most part

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 13, 2004 (HealthDayNews) -- There was an increase in the number of low birth weight babies born in the 100 largest cities and their suburbs in the United States between 1990 and 2000.

That means that more babies are at risk for serious health problems, says a study in the most recent issue of the Journal of Urban Health.

But the study by the SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., also found that baby death rates steadily declined over the same period.

As an example of these increased low birth weight rates, the study found there were 20.3 percent more such babies born in the suburbs of New York City in 2000 than in 1990.

Overall, suburban white women were identified as the fastest-growing risk group for having low birth weight babies. However, compared to those white women, black women still have double the rates of low birth weight babies and infant mortality, the study said.

The rate of low birth weight babies increased nearly four times more in the suburbs than in the cities between 1990 and 2000. The researchers said this may be because more white suburban women are waiting until after age 35 to have children and/or are using fertility treatments. Both these factors are associated with low birth weight.

The researchers also noted that advances in neonatal care have improved survival rates for premature babies.

More information

The March of Dimes has more about low birth weight.

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