Maternal occupation and risk for low birth weight delivery: Assessment using state birth registry data

John D. Meyer, Ginger H. Nichols, Nicholas Warren, Susan Reisine

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Scopus citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of employment on low birth weight (LBW) in a service-based economy, we evaluated the association of LBW delivery with occupational data collected in a state birth registry. METHODS: Occupational data in the 2000 Connecticut birth registry were coded for 41,009 singleton births. Associations between employment and LBW delivery were analyzed using logistic regression controlling for covariates in the registry data set. RESULTS: Evidence for improved LBW outcomes in working mothers did not persist when adjusted for maternal covariates. Among working mothers, elevated risk of LBW was seen in textile, food service, personal appearance, material dispatching or distributing, and retail sales workers. CONCLUSIONS: Improved overall birth outcomes seen in working mothers may arise from favorable demographic and health attributes. Higher LBW risk was seen in several types of service sector jobs and in textile work.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)306-315
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Volume50
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2008
Externally publishedYes

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