The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #62057

Annette L Adams, MA, MPH¹, Jennifer Marino, MPH, RN¹, and Cathy W. Critchlow, PhD, MS². (1) Epidemiology, University of Washington, Box 357236, Seattle, WA 97195, 206-521-1547, adams24@u.washington.edu, (2) HPV Research Group, University of Washington, Box 359933, Seattle, WA 98195

Introduction: Compared to US-born mothers (NB), foreign-born (FB) mothers appear to have better pregnancy outcomes (higher birthweight, lower infant mortality). Certain complications of pregnancy such as gestational diabetes (GD) may also be less common among FB mothers. Objective: Compare the risks of GD among NB Hispanic women and non-Hispanic Black women to the risks among FB women. Methods: Population-based cohort study, using maternally-linked Washington State birth certificate data, 1992-1998, including 4519 non-Hispanic Black mothers (2261 FB, 2258 NB) and 42447 Hispanic mothers (21283 FB, 21164 NB), frequency matched by delivery year. Associations were estimated by stratified analysis using Mantel-Haenszel methods. Results: FB Hispanic women were more likely to develop GD than their NB peers (age-adjusted RR=1.1, 95% CI: 1.0-1.2). FB and NB Black women were equally likely to develop GD (age-adjusted RR=1.2, 95% CI: 0.9-1.7). However, body mass index (BMI) (available for 47% of participants) appeared to modify these associations. For both race groups, among women with low/normal BMI (<25), FB women were at increased risk for GD compared to their NB peers (Black RR=3.1, 95% CI: 1.0-9.4; Hispanic RR=1.6, 95% CI: 1.2-2.2); there was no association among women with BMI Ан25 in either race group. Conclusions: Among the subset with BMI data, FB women BMI <25 were at increased risk of GD as compared to their NB peers. The lack of an association among women with high BMI most likely reflects the increased risk of GD among these women, independent of nativity status.

Learning Objectives:

• At the end of this session, participants will be able to describe the role of maternal navity in the risk of gestational diabetes.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.