Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 6/2017

01-12-2017 | Review Paper

Pregnancy and Birth Outcomes Among Immigrant Women in the US and Europe: A Systematic Review

Authors: E. Villalonga-Olives, I. Kawachi, N. von Steinbüchel

Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health | Issue 6/2017

Login to get access

Abstract

Human migration is not a new phenomenon, but it has changed significantly with the advance of globalization. We focus on differences in the published literature concerning migration and health (EU vs the US), centering specifically on reproductive health outcomes. We conducted a literature search in the Pubmed and Embase databases. We reviewed papers that contrast migrants to native-born populations and analyzed differences between countries as well as challenges for future research. The prevalence of low birthweight among migrants varies by the host country characteristics as well as the composition of migrants to different regions. The primary driver of migrant health is the migrant “regime” in different countries at specific periods of time. Future health outcomes of immigrants will depend on the societal characteristics (legal protections, institutions and health systems) of host countries.
Literature
3.
go back to reference European Commission. EU employment and social situation. Quarterly Review March 2013. Special supplement on demographic trends. European Commission. EU employment and social situation. Quarterly Review March 2013. Special supplement on demographic trends.
5.
go back to reference Franzini L, Ribble JC, Keddie AM. Understanding the Hispanic paradox. Ethn Dis. 2001;11:496–518.PubMed Franzini L, Ribble JC, Keddie AM. Understanding the Hispanic paradox. Ethn Dis. 2001;11:496–518.PubMed
8.
go back to reference Collins JW, David RJ. Pregnancy outcome of Mexican-American women: the effect of generational residence in the United States. Ethn Dis. 2004;14:317–21.PubMed Collins JW, David RJ. Pregnancy outcome of Mexican-American women: the effect of generational residence in the United States. Ethn Dis. 2004;14:317–21.PubMed
9.
go back to reference Guendelman S, English PB. Effect of United States residence on birth outcomes among Mexican immigrants: an exploratory study. Am J Epidemiol. 1995;142:S30–8.CrossRefPubMed Guendelman S, English PB. Effect of United States residence on birth outcomes among Mexican immigrants: an exploratory study. Am J Epidemiol. 1995;142:S30–8.CrossRefPubMed
11.
go back to reference Rosenberg TJ, Raggio TP, Chiasson MA. A further examination of the “epidemiologic paradox”: birth outcomes among Latinas. J Natl Med Assoc. 2005;97:550–6.PubMedPubMedCentral Rosenberg TJ, Raggio TP, Chiasson MA. A further examination of the “epidemiologic paradox”: birth outcomes among Latinas. J Natl Med Assoc. 2005;97:550–6.PubMedPubMedCentral
12.
go back to reference Gould JB, Madan A, Qin C, et al. Perinatal outcomes in two dissimilar immigrant populations in the United States: a dual epidemiologic paradox. Pediatrics. 2003;111:e676–82.CrossRefPubMed Gould JB, Madan A, Qin C, et al. Perinatal outcomes in two dissimilar immigrant populations in the United States: a dual epidemiologic paradox. Pediatrics. 2003;111:e676–82.CrossRefPubMed
13.
go back to reference Pallotto EK, Collins JW, David RJ. Enigma of maternal race and infant birth weight: a population-based study of US-born Black and Caribbean-born Black women. Am J Epidemiol. 2000;151:1080–5.CrossRefPubMed Pallotto EK, Collins JW, David RJ. Enigma of maternal race and infant birth weight: a population-based study of US-born Black and Caribbean-born Black women. Am J Epidemiol. 2000;151:1080–5.CrossRefPubMed
15.
go back to reference Hayes DK, Lukacs SL, Schoendorf KC. Heterogeneity within Asian subgroups: a comparison of birthweight between infants of US and non-US born Asian Indian and Chinese mothers. Matern Child Health J. 2008;12:549–56. doi:10.1007/s10995-007-0270-8.CrossRefPubMed Hayes DK, Lukacs SL, Schoendorf KC. Heterogeneity within Asian subgroups: a comparison of birthweight between infants of US and non-US born Asian Indian and Chinese mothers. Matern Child Health J. 2008;12:549–56. doi:10.​1007/​s10995-007-0270-8.CrossRefPubMed
20.
go back to reference Kelaher M, Jessop DJ. Differences in low-birthweight among documented and undocumented foreign-born and US-born Latinas. Soc Sci Med. 2002;55:2171–5.CrossRefPubMed Kelaher M, Jessop DJ. Differences in low-birthweight among documented and undocumented foreign-born and US-born Latinas. Soc Sci Med. 2002;55:2171–5.CrossRefPubMed
24.
go back to reference Jacquemyn Y, Benjahia N, Martens G, et al. Pregnancy outcome of Moroccan and Turkish women in Belgium. Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol. 2012;39:181–5.PubMed Jacquemyn Y, Benjahia N, Martens G, et al. Pregnancy outcome of Moroccan and Turkish women in Belgium. Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol. 2012;39:181–5.PubMed
25.
go back to reference Lalchandani S, MacQuillan K, Sheil O. Obstetric profiles and pregnancy outcomes of immigrant women with refugee status. Ir Med J. 2001;94:79–80.PubMed Lalchandani S, MacQuillan K, Sheil O. Obstetric profiles and pregnancy outcomes of immigrant women with refugee status. Ir Med J. 2001;94:79–80.PubMed
31.
go back to reference Gushulak B, Weekers J, Macpherson D. Migrants and emerging public health issues in a globalized world: threats, risks and challenges, an evidence-based framework. Emerg Health Threats J. 2009;2:e10. doi:10.3134/ehtj.09.010.PubMed Gushulak B, Weekers J, Macpherson D. Migrants and emerging public health issues in a globalized world: threats, risks and challenges, an evidence-based framework. Emerg Health Threats J. 2009;2:e10. doi:10.​3134/​ehtj.​09.​010.PubMed
32.
go back to reference Loue S, Bunce A. The assessment of immigration status in health research. Vital Health Stat. 1999;2:1–115. Loue S, Bunce A. The assessment of immigration status in health research. Vital Health Stat. 1999;2:1–115.
35.
go back to reference Fuentes-Afflick E, Hessol NA, Pérez-Stable EJ. Maternal birthplace, ethnicity, and low birth weight in California. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1998;152:1105–12.CrossRefPubMed Fuentes-Afflick E, Hessol NA, Pérez-Stable EJ. Maternal birthplace, ethnicity, and low birth weight in California. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1998;152:1105–12.CrossRefPubMed
40.
go back to reference Collins JW, Shay DK. Prevalence of low birth weight among Hispanic infants with United States-born and foreign-born mothers: the effect of urban poverty. Am J Epidemiol. 1994;139:184–92.CrossRefPubMed Collins JW, Shay DK. Prevalence of low birth weight among Hispanic infants with United States-born and foreign-born mothers: the effect of urban poverty. Am J Epidemiol. 1994;139:184–92.CrossRefPubMed
42.
go back to reference Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). State-specific trends in U.S. live births to women born outside the 50 states and the District of Columbia-United States, 1990 and 2000. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2002;51:1091–5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). State-specific trends in U.S. live births to women born outside the 50 states and the District of Columbia-United States, 1990 and 2000. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2002;51:1091–5.
43.
44.
go back to reference Singh GK, Yu SM. Adverse pregnancy outcomes: differences between US- and foreign-born women in major US racial and ethnic groups. Am J Public Health. 1996;86:837–43.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Singh GK, Yu SM. Adverse pregnancy outcomes: differences between US- and foreign-born women in major US racial and ethnic groups. Am J Public Health. 1996;86:837–43.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
45.
go back to reference English PB, Kharrazi M, Guendelman S. Pregnancy outcomes and risk factors in Mexican Americans: the effect of language use and mother’s birthplace. Ethn Dis. 1996;7:229–40. English PB, Kharrazi M, Guendelman S. Pregnancy outcomes and risk factors in Mexican Americans: the effect of language use and mother’s birthplace. Ethn Dis. 1996;7:229–40.
46.
47.
go back to reference Romero CX, Duke JK, Dabelea D, et al. Does the epidemiologic paradox hold in the presence of risk factors for low birth weight infants among Mexican-born women in Colorado? J Health Care Poor Underserved. 2012;23:604–14. doi:10.1353/hpu.2012.0065.CrossRefPubMed Romero CX, Duke JK, Dabelea D, et al. Does the epidemiologic paradox hold in the presence of risk factors for low birth weight infants among Mexican-born women in Colorado? J Health Care Poor Underserved. 2012;23:604–14. doi:10.​1353/​hpu.​2012.​0065.CrossRefPubMed
48.
go back to reference Forna F, Jamieson DJ, Sanders D, et al. Pregnancy outcomes in foreign-born and US-born women. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2003;83:257–65.CrossRefPubMed Forna F, Jamieson DJ, Sanders D, et al. Pregnancy outcomes in foreign-born and US-born women. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2003;83:257–65.CrossRefPubMed
51.
go back to reference Guendelman S, Buekens P, Blondel B, et al. Birth outcomes of immigrant women in the United States, France, and Belgium. Matern Child Health J. 1999;3:177–87.CrossRefPubMed Guendelman S, Buekens P, Blondel B, et al. Birth outcomes of immigrant women in the United States, France, and Belgium. Matern Child Health J. 1999;3:177–87.CrossRefPubMed
54.
58.
go back to reference Gaffney KF. Prenatal risk factors among foreign-born Central American women: a comparative study. Public Health Nurs. 2000;17:415–22.CrossRefPubMed Gaffney KF. Prenatal risk factors among foreign-born Central American women: a comparative study. Public Health Nurs. 2000;17:415–22.CrossRefPubMed
59.
go back to reference Callister LC, Birkhead A. Acculturation and perinatal outcomes in Mexican immigrant childbearing women: an integrative review. J Perinat Neonatal Nurs. 2002;16:22–38.CrossRefPubMed Callister LC, Birkhead A. Acculturation and perinatal outcomes in Mexican immigrant childbearing women: an integrative review. J Perinat Neonatal Nurs. 2002;16:22–38.CrossRefPubMed
61.
go back to reference Stoltenberg C, Magnus P. Children with low birth weight and low gestational age in Oslo, Norway: immigration is not the cause of increasing proportions. J Epidemiol Community Health. 1995;49:588–93.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Stoltenberg C, Magnus P. Children with low birth weight and low gestational age in Oslo, Norway: immigration is not the cause of increasing proportions. J Epidemiol Community Health. 1995;49:588–93.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
63.
go back to reference Rasmussen F, Oldenburg CE, Ericson A, et al. Preterm birth and low birthweight among children of Swedish and immigrant women between 1978 and 1990. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 1995;9:441–54.CrossRefPubMed Rasmussen F, Oldenburg CE, Ericson A, et al. Preterm birth and low birthweight among children of Swedish and immigrant women between 1978 and 1990. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 1995;9:441–54.CrossRefPubMed
64.
go back to reference Pedersen GS, Mortensen LH, Gerster M, et al. Preterm birth and birthweight-for-gestational age among immigrant women in Denmark 1978–2007: a nationwide registry study. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 2012;26:534–42. doi:10.1111/ppe.12010.CrossRefPubMed Pedersen GS, Mortensen LH, Gerster M, et al. Preterm birth and birthweight-for-gestational age among immigrant women in Denmark 1978–2007: a nationwide registry study. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 2012;26:534–42. doi:10.​1111/​ppe.​12010.CrossRefPubMed
66.
67.
go back to reference Collingwood Bakeo A. Trends in live births by mother’s country of birth and other factors affecting low birthweight in England and Wales, 1983–2001. Health Stat Q. 2004 Autumn;23:25–33 Collingwood Bakeo A. Trends in live births by mother’s country of birth and other factors affecting low birthweight in England and Wales, 1983–2001. Health Stat Q. 2004 Autumn;23:25–33
68.
go back to reference Dejin-Karlsson E, Ostergren P-O. Country of origin, social support and the risk of small for gestational age birth. Scand J Public Health. 2004;32:442–9.CrossRefPubMed Dejin-Karlsson E, Ostergren P-O. Country of origin, social support and the risk of small for gestational age birth. Scand J Public Health. 2004;32:442–9.CrossRefPubMed
71.
go back to reference Bona G, Zaffaroni M, Cataldo F, et al. Infants of immigrant parents in Italy. A national multicentre case control study. Panminerva Med. 2001;43:155–9.PubMed Bona G, Zaffaroni M, Cataldo F, et al. Infants of immigrant parents in Italy. A national multicentre case control study. Panminerva Med. 2001;43:155–9.PubMed
72.
go back to reference Delvaux T, Buekens P, Thoumsin H, et al. Cord C-peptide and insulin-like growth factor-I, birth weight, and placenta weight among North African and Belgian neonates. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2003;189:1779–84.CrossRefPubMed Delvaux T, Buekens P, Thoumsin H, et al. Cord C-peptide and insulin-like growth factor-I, birth weight, and placenta weight among North African and Belgian neonates. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2003;189:1779–84.CrossRefPubMed
76.
go back to reference Råssjö EB, Byrskog U, Samir R, et al. Somali women’s use of maternity health services and the outcome of their pregnancies: a descriptive study comparing Somali immigrants with native-born Swedish women. Sex Reprod Healthc. 2013;4:99–106. doi:10.1016/j.srhc.2013.06.001.CrossRefPubMed Råssjö EB, Byrskog U, Samir R, et al. Somali women’s use of maternity health services and the outcome of their pregnancies: a descriptive study comparing Somali immigrants with native-born Swedish women. Sex Reprod Healthc. 2013;4:99–106. doi:10.​1016/​j.​srhc.​2013.​06.​001.CrossRefPubMed
79.
go back to reference Tsimbos C, Verropoulou G. Demographic and socioeconomic determinants of low birth weight and preterm births among natives and immigrants in Greece: an analysis using nationwide vital registration micro-data. J Biosoc Sci. 2011;43:271–83. doi:10.1017/S0021932010000726.CrossRefPubMed Tsimbos C, Verropoulou G. Demographic and socioeconomic determinants of low birth weight and preterm births among natives and immigrants in Greece: an analysis using nationwide vital registration micro-data. J Biosoc Sci. 2011;43:271–83. doi:10.​1017/​S002193201000072​6.CrossRefPubMed
80.
go back to reference Juárez SP, Revuelta-Eugercios BA. Too heavy, too late: investigating perinatal health outcomes in immigrants residing in Spain. A cross-sectional study (2009–2011). J Epidemiol Community Health. 2014;. doi:10.1136/jech-2013-202917.PubMed Juárez SP, Revuelta-Eugercios BA. Too heavy, too late: investigating perinatal health outcomes in immigrants residing in Spain. A cross-sectional study (2009–2011). J Epidemiol Community Health. 2014;. doi:10.​1136/​jech-2013-202917.PubMed
Metadata
Title
Pregnancy and Birth Outcomes Among Immigrant Women in the US and Europe: A Systematic Review
Authors
E. Villalonga-Olives
I. Kawachi
N. von Steinbüchel
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health / Issue 6/2017
Print ISSN: 1557-1912
Electronic ISSN: 1557-1920
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-016-0483-2

Other articles of this Issue 6/2017

Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 6/2017 Go to the issue