Infant birth weight among women with or at high risk for HIV infection: The impact of clinical, behavioral, psychosocial, and demographic factors

The purpose of these analyses was to provide a prospective examination of t he impact of HN on birth weight using clinical, behavioral, psychosocial, a nd demographic correlates. HIV-positive (n = 319) and HIV-negative (n = 220 ) pregnant women matched for EW risk factors (i.e., drug use and sexual ris k behaviors) were interviewed during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy and 6 w eeks postpartum. Medical chart reviews were also conducted for the HIV-sero positive pregnant women to verify pregnancy-related and birth outcome data In a logistic regression analysis, model chi (2)(9, N = 518) = 124.8, p < . 001, controlling for parity and gestational age, women who were HN seroposi tive were 2.6 times more likely to have an infant with low birth weight. In addition, Black women and those who did not live with their partners were more than 2 times as likely to have infants with low birth weight, and thos e who smoked were 3.2 times more likely to have infants with low birth weig ht. Knowing that women with HN, those who are Black, and those not living w ith a partner are at highest risk for adverse birth outcomes can help those in prenatal clinics and HIV specialty clinics to target resources and deve lop prevention interventions. This is particularly important for women with HIV because birth weight is associated with risk of HIV transmission from mother to child.