Abstract

PIP: Data from 100,277 certificates of livebirths were analyzed in an attempt to uncover independent correlates of birthweight and gestation time. Without statistical control, each of these variables was shown to be significantly related to race, trimester of obtaining prenatal care, maternal age, parity, socioeconomic status, and legitimacy status. Regression analyses indicated that maternal race and the trimester in which she obtained prenatal care were the most significant correlates of birthweight and gestation time. It was suggested that race and trimester of obtaining prenatal care were not, in themselves, causes of low birthweight. Other indicess of socioeconomic, cultural, biological, medical, and psychological factors may be correlated with mother's race and the trimester in which she obtains prenatal care.