S. Gennaro et al., A SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC COMPARISON OF FAMILIES OF VERY-LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT INFANTS - 1982-1991, Public health nursing, 11(3), 1994, pp. 168-173
Social and demographic characteristics were investigated in families w
ho had very low-birthweight infants between 1982 and 1984 (historical
cohort). Since those data were collected, the number of women using dr
ugs during pregnancy has increased significantly. Therefore, between 1
989 and 1991 (current cohort) we continued to document sociodemographi
c characteristics of families of very low-birthweight infants (144 mot
hers, 156 infants). Data were collected from review of hospital charts
and outpatient health records, and monthly interviews. The two cohort
s were similar demographically. Changes in family composition occurred
more frequently in the current cohort. There was a startling increase
in illicit drug use between the two groups of women: 3% in the histor
ic cohort and 20% in the current cohort. In the historical cohort all
infants went home to their mothers; however, in the current cohort 7.8
% of infants were placed with other family caretakers. Infant health o
utcomes for the first six month after hospital discharge were similar
in both groups. From 1982 to 1991 the increases in substance abuse, no
nmaternal caretakers, family moves, and changes in family composition
have implications for health care providers involved in infant follow-
up care.