Is the immigrant condition associated with low birth weight?

Background: Birth weight is the most important predictor of newborn health and can be associated with the neonatal and post-neonatal mortality. The aim of this study was to quantify the prevalence of low birth weight in a sample of newborns and to compare with maternal birthplace. Participants and methods: In a cross-sectional approach we evaluated 1601 mother-child pairs (499 immigrant and 1102 Portuguese). Immigrants and their child were consecutively selected during the year 2010 in twenty-one Portuguese maternity hospitals. For each immigrant selected, two Portuguese were included in the study, based on the hospital’s records admission (previous and next admission). Data was collected in a face-to-face interview on the second day after delivery and with the consultation of medical hospital records. Low birth weight (LBW) is defined as a birth weight of less than 2500g and very low birth weight (VLBW) less than 1500g. Premature birth was considered if the baby was born before completing 37 weeks. Results: The prevalence of premature birth was 7.5% in Portuguese and 5.5% in immigrants (p<0.01). The prevalence of LBW in Portuguese newborns was 6.0% and in immigrants was 6.4% (p=0.41). The prevalence of VLBW was 1.0% in both Portuguese and immigrants. The prevalence of LBW differed with maternal birthplace (Brazil = 7.3%, Eastern Europe = 3.3, Western Europe = 8.2%, Africa = 5.8, Asia = 11.1%, p