Activity level of mother's usual occupation and low infant birth weight

J Occup Med. 1985 Nov;27(11):841-7. doi: 10.1097/00043764-198511000-00019.

Abstract

Previous studies of the effect of mother's employment on infant birth weight have shown mixed results. This study was designed to explore the relationship between activity level of a woman's occupation and her risk of delivering a low-birth-weight infant. Using 1981 state of Washington birth certificate records, the authors selected 5,822 subjects. Case subjects were women who had delivered infants weighing 2,500 g or less; controls were those who had delivered normal-weight infants. Women were grouped into five activity levels based on their usual occupation. No association was detected between activity level of mother's usual occupation and delivery of a low-birth-weight infant. These data suggest that active work is not associated with an increased risk of having a low-birth-weight baby.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Low Birth Weight*
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Occupations*
  • Physical Exertion
  • Pregnancy
  • Risk
  • Washington
  • Work*