Low birthweight in New York City and upstate New York following the events of September 11th

Hum Reprod. 2007 Nov;22(11):3013-20. doi: 10.1093/humrep/dem301. Epub 2007 Sep 28.

Abstract

Background: We examined pregnancy outcomes in New York City (NYC) and upstate New York after the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center disaster.

Methods: Using birth certificate data for NY residents (n = 1,660,401 births), we estimated risk of low birthweight (LBW: <2,500 g) and preterm birth (<37 weeks) one week after September 11th versus three weeks before, and for 10 four-week intervals post-disaster versus these intervals in the two previous years. To corroborate regression results, we used time-series analysis.

Results: One week after September 11th in NYC, we observed an adjusted odds of 1.44 for births <1,500 g (P = 0.07) and 1.67 for births 1,500-1,999 g (P = 0.01), but a decreased odds of 2,000-2,499 g. We found no immediate change in LBW upstate or preterm in either location. In extended analyses, we found, in both locations, increased odds of <1,500-g births around New Year and 33-36 weeks post-disaster and decreased odds of moderate preterm for several weeks post-disaster. Time-series analyses yielded similar findings.

Conclusions: The events of September 11, 2001 in NYC were associated with immediate increases in births <2,000 g, slightly delayed decreased preterm delivery, and delayed increases in LBW among infants exposed periconception or in the first two trimesters. Stress may contribute to observed associations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Birth Weight*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Low Birth Weight
  • Infant, Newborn
  • New York
  • New York City
  • Odds Ratio
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • Premature Birth / epidemiology*
  • September 11 Terrorist Attacks*
  • Stress, Psychological