The immigrant birthweight paradox in an urban cohort: Role of immigrant enclaves and ambient air pollution.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Foreign-born Black and Latina women on average have higher birthweight infants than their US-born counterparts, despite generally worse socioeconomic indicators and prenatal care access, i.e., "immigrant birthweight paradox" (IBP). Residence in immigrant enclaves and associated social-cultural and economic benefits may be drivers of IBP. Yet, enclaves have been found to have higher air pollution, a risk factor for lower birthweight.

Objective

We investigated the association of immigrant enclaves and children's birthweight accounting for prenatal ambient air pollution exposure.

Methods

In the Boston-based Children's HealthWatch cohort of mother-child dyads, we obtained birthweight-for-gestational-age z-scores (BWGAZ) for US-born births, 2006-2015. We develop

SUBMITTER: Chu MT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9250941 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature