Infant birthweight, gestational age and mortality by race/ethnicity: A non-parametric regression approach to birthweight optima identification

In order to better understand the statistical relationship between measures of birthweight and gestational age and their effects on infant mortality, national vital statistics data was examined using non-parametric regression techniques (GAM) that allow for a sophisticated and detailed analysis of i...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author Echevarria-Cruz, Samuel
Format Dissertation
LanguageEnglish
Published ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01.01.2007
Subjects
Demography
Epidemiology
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Summary:In order to better understand the statistical relationship between measures of birthweight and gestational age and their effects on infant mortality, national vital statistics data was examined using non-parametric regression techniques (GAM) that allow for a sophisticated and detailed analysis of infant mortality models. These models allow for various non-linear effects of birthweight and gestational age on infant mortality to be quantified based upon extant methodologies (Solis, Pullum and Frisbie, 2000). Utilizing over-time, race/ethnic- and sex-specific approaches, the identification of "zones" of optimal birth outcomes based upon infant mortality probabilities is successfully accomplished. This process results from the creation of a rigorous cross-classification of GAM-supplied birthweight and gestational age parameters. From these results, I find that Non-Hispanic Black infants still exhibit an infant mortality disadvantage relative to Non-Hispanic Whites and Mexican American infants. For the four birth outcome parameters and their interactions, I find evidence of infant mortality disadvantage for infants that are early or late as well as small or heavy relative to their race/ethnic-specific, birthweight-adjusted optima.
ISBN:0549223819
9780549223818