Unequal at birth: A long-term comparison of income and birth weight

Socioeconomic differences in birth weight have narrowed since 1900. The mot her's nutritional status during her growing years, proxied by height, accou nted for most of the differences in the past, but not today. Children born at the beginning of this century compared favorably to modern populations i n terms of birth weights, but suffered high fetal and neonatal death rates. By day ten children in the past were at a disadvantage because best practi ce resulted in insufficient feeding. Improved obstetrical, medical, and nut ritional knowledge has increased weight in the first days of life, which ma y account for increased adult stature.