We summarize and predict infants' health problems during the first year, as reported by 763 Medicaid-eligible, minority mothers in inner-city Chicago . Illnesses (in nine categories), injuries, and hospitalizations are summarized by neonatal, early and late infancy periods. Predictors include ethnicity, maternal age, parity, education, onset of prenatal care, smoking during pregnancy, baby's sex and birth cohort, breastfeeding, and participation in maternal-child advocacy programs. We use t-tests, ANOVA, and OLS regression.
The average baby had a total of 3.05 illnesses, .13 injuries, and .18 hospitalizations during the year. Half of the illnesses were respiratory (1.50), followed by otitis media (OM; .37), skin (.35), infections (.34), and gastro-intestinal (GI; .32). Total illnesses, and hospitalizations tended to decrease in frequency over the year, as did GI, skin, other infections, and newborn problems. OM and injuries tended to increase in frequency during the same period.
African American and Mexican babies differed in illness type. Skin and respiratory problems and hospitalizations were more frequent among African Americans, whereas Mexican Americans had more GI problems and other infections. OM and childhood illnesses were more frequent among boys. Maternal smoking during pregnancy increased the overall number of illnesses. Several illness categories-OM, infections, newborn problems, and total illnesses-declined in frequency across succeeding birth cohorts. Multiple regression analyses indicated that birth cohort and ethnicity independently influenced morbidity.
Learning Objectives: Describe the number, type and timing of illnesses, injuries and hospitalizations for inner-city infants. Recognize covariation in infant health with maternal, family and infant characteristics.
Keywords: Infant Health, Minorities
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Centers
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.