The relationship of selected components of publicly funded low birth weight prevention models to the reduction in low birth weight births among Mississippi childbearing women

The epidemiological association between infant deaths and the living conditions in society was first described in the middle nineteenth century. Infant mortality rates are still utilized among nations of the world as a general measure of living conditions, health systems, and social systems. Rigorous, systematic analysis of causes of infant mortality is key to determining effective interventions. One of the leading causes of infant mortality in the neonatal period is low birth weight.;Studies have linked low birth weight to a variety of maternal risk factors. Primary prevention of low birth weight by early identification of maternal risk factors and implementation of risk-specific interventions are key components of many effective low birth weight prevention programs. Maternal demographic factors contributing to low birth weight include race, maternal education level, maternal age, maternal marital status, and socio-economic status. Maternal prenatal risk factors contributing to low birth weight include tobacco use, anemia, drug use, delivery of a previous preterm infant, repeat pregnancy in less than twelve months, diabetes, and hypertension.;A low birth weight prevention program was developed and implemented in Mississippi approximately a decade ago. Funded through expansion of Medicaid, the case management model includes risk-specific interventions performed by a team of health care professionals including nursing services, social services, and nutrition services. The program is designed to augment routine, clinic-based prenatal care for women at risk of delivering a low birth weight infant.;This study was a case-control, retrospective study of 631 women enrolled in publicly funded prenatal care programs. The case sample included 335 women who received risk-specific interventions through the perinatal high risk management program. The control sample included 296 women who received routine prenatal care. Using the general linear model, hypotheses tested included a comparison of the mean birth weights of infants born to these women, controlling for selected maternal risk factors. Significant variables included hypertension and marital status.;A description of the content of the care received in the low birth weight prevention program was ascertained. Indications for future related research and implications for policy change based on the results of this study were also discussed.