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01-11-2011

The Paternal Component of the “Healthy Migrant” Effect: Fathers’ Natality and Infants’ Low Birth Weight

Authors: Ambika Krishnakumar, Sandra D. Lane, Meghan Hall, Evaline Tso, Natasha Pinto, Navpriya Oberoi, William Suk, Zaki Badawy, Martha A. Wojtowycz, Richard Aubry

Published in: Maternal and Child Health Journal | Issue 8/2011

Abstract

This study examines the predictors of birth outcomes among women of European and African ancestry and considers the birthplace of the babies’ fathers (foreign born vs. native born) as a protective factor. This is a secondary data analysis of 146,431 singleton births among women of European and African ancestry, both native-born and foreign-born, in a 21 birth hospital region of Central New York State from 1996 to 2003. Foreign born fathers were found to have 15% fewer low birth weight infants than US-born fathers, after controlling for the race and birthplace of the mother, tobacco use and Medicaid. Although this secondary data analysis does not allow us to determine the social determinants of the better birth outcomes among infants of foreign born fathers, it does demonstrate that fathers matter and that foreign born fathers are associated with reduced low birth weight in their infants.

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Title: The Paternal Component of the “Healthy Migrant” Effect: Fathers’ Natality and Infants’ Low Birth Weight
Authors: Ambika Krishnakumar
Sandra D. Lane
Meghan Hall
Evaline Tso
Natasha Pinto
Navpriya Oberoi
William Suk
Zaki Badawy
Martha A. Wojtowycz
Richard Aubry
Publication date: 01-11-2011
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Maternal and Child Health Journal / Issue 8/2011
Print ISSN: 1092-7875
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6628
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-010-0705-5

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The Paternal Component of the “Healthy Migrant” Effect: Fathers’ Natality and Infants’ Low Birth Weight

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