Birth data accessibility via primary care health records to classify health status in a multi-ethnic population of children: an observational study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Access to reliable birth data (birthweight (BW) and gestational age (GA)) is essential for the identification of individuals who are at subsequent health risk.

Aims

This study aimed to explore the feasibility of retrospectively collecting birth data for schoolchildren from parental questionnaires (PQ) and general practitioners (GPs) in primary care clinics, in inner city neighbourhoods with high density of ethnic minority and disadvantaged populations.

Methods

Attempts were made to obtain birth data from parents and GPs for 2,171 London primary schoolchildren (34% White, 29% Black African origin, 25% South Asians, 12% Other) as part of a larger study of respiratory health.

Results

Information on BW and/or GA were obtained from parents for 2,052 (95%)

SUBMITTER: Bonner R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4353844 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature