A criterion for a standardized definition of low birthweight

A criterion for a standardized definition of low birthweight

A criterion for the definition of low birthweight (LBW) which is tailored to each population group is presented. The suggested criterion is based on an assumption according to which the distribution of birthweight is actually a mixture of the following two components: the predominant (including abou...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of epidemiology Vol. 20; no. 1; p. 180
Main Authors: Chen, R, Wax, Y, Lusky, A, Toppelberg, G, Barell, V
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: England 01-03-1991
Subjects:
Asia - ethnology
Female
Humans
Infant Mortality
Infant, Low Birth Weight
Infant, Newborn
Israel
Male
Morocco - ethnology
Normal Distribution
Terminology as Topic
Morocco
Asia
Israel
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Summary:A criterion for the definition of low birthweight (LBW) which is tailored to each population group is presented. The suggested criterion is based on an assumption according to which the distribution of birthweight is actually a mixture of the following two components: the predominant (including about 95% of the newborns and is normally distributed) and the residual (assumed to be mainly composed of newborns under extreme risk for perinatal mortality). The LBW category is defined to include a small but equal (for all groups) percentage of the predominant component. Thus, population groups which differ with respect to their specific predominant birthweight distribution are comparable with respect to the perinatal mortality risk. Application of the suggested definition is demonstrated using data from two ethnic groups in Israel. Results show a smaller percentage of female LBW than males in both population groups when using the suggested criterion. The reverse is observed (i.e. more male than female LBW), using the standard criterion (less than 2500 gm). The suggested criterion is shown to reduce the sex and ethnic differences in perinatal mortality among the respective LBW categories.
ISSN:0300-5771
DOI:10.1093/ije/20.1.180