The role of maternal early life and later life risk factors on offspring low birth weight: Findings from a three-generational study

Date

2011

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Journal of Adolescent Health

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined three research questions: 1) Is there an association between maternal early-life economic disadvantage and the birth weight of later-born offspring? (2) Is there an association between maternal abuse in childhood and the birth weight of later-born offspring? And, (3) to what extent are these early-life risks mediated through adolescent and adult substance use, mental and physical health status, and adult socioeconomic status? Methods: Analyses used structural equation modeling to examine data from two longitudinal studies that include three generations. The first (G1) and second generation (G2) were enrolled in the Seattle Social Development Project (SSDP) and the third generation (G3) was enrolled in the SSDP Intergenerational Project. Data for the study (N = 136) focused on SSDP (G2) mothers and their children (G3). Results: Analyses revealed G2 low childhood socioeconomic status predicted G3 offspring birth weight. Early childhood abuse among G2 respondents predicted G3 offspring birth weight through a mediated pathway including G2 adolescent substance use and G2 prenatal substance use. Birth weight was unrelated to maternal adult SES, depression or obesity. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study to identify the impact of maternal early-life risks of low childhood socioeconomic status and child maltreatment on later-born offspring birth weight. These findings have far-reaching effects on the cumulative risk associated with early-life-economic disadvantage and childhood maltreatment. Such findings encourage policies and interventions that enhance child health at birth by taking the mother’s own early-life and development into account. (Author Abstract)

Description

Keywords

child abuse, risk factors, research, income, mothers, intergenerational health

Citation

Gavin, A. R., Hill, K. G., Hawkins, J. D., & Maas, C. (2011). The role of maternal early-life and later-life risk factors on offspring low birth weight: findings from a three-generational study. Journal of Adolescent Health, 49(2), 166-171.

DOI