THE EFFECT OF ACCULTURATION ON LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT IN IMMIGRANT WOMEN

The interpretation of variations in perinatal morbidity by immigration status has been difficult. Of particular concern is the lack of atten tion to adaptive capacity. This study explores the effect of accultura tion on term low birthweight (LBW) in five ethnic groups representing different immigration experiences. Using Quebec birth certificates (19 79-1988), two birth cohorts were defined to control for the effects of repeat pregnancies. Bivariate and logistic regression analysis were u sed to examine the relationship between acculturation and term LBW. In both birth cohorts the more acculturated women experienced significan tly higher rates of term LBW. The odds ratio for term LBW (1.6) was al so significantly higher for the more acculturated group but this effec t was only observed in the second birth cohort. These findings imply t hat in addition to other conventional factors, the level of acculturat ion of the mother should be assessed in perinatal risk identification systems.