Residential mobility during pregnancy and birth outcomes in the United States: The environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Cohort (2010–2019)

Purpose To examine factors associated with moving during pregnancy and impacts of assigning nSES at enrollment, delivery, or a time-weighted average on birth outcomes (birthweight, birthweight-for-gestational-age z-score, low birthweight, gestational age, small-for-gestational age, preterm birth). Methods We used data from the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Cohort Study (2010–2019) with nSES data from the American Community Survey (ACS) matched by time and location to monthly residential histories. We used multivariable logistic models with Generalized Estimating Equations to identify factors associated with moving and quantify exposure misclassification in model estimates. Results Approximately 7 % of 15,376 participants moved at least once during pregnancy. Maternal age (OR: 0.97, 95 % CI: 0.95, 0.98) and other race vs. White (OR: 0.39, 95 % CI: 0.20, 0.80) were associated with lower odds of moving; lower neighborhood-level education (OR: 1.34, 95 % CI: 1.11, 1.62) and living in urban neighborhoods (OR: 3.03, 95 % CI: 1.39, 6.59) were associated with higher odds. Among movers, estimates between nSES and birth outcomes changed ≥ 16 % by address assignment; birthweight-for-gestational-age z-score was significant only when using nSES at delivery. Conclusion Sociodemographic and nSES characteristics are associated with moving during pregnancy; movers may experience exposure misclassification and underestimated effects on birth outcomes.