The association of maternal country/region of origin and nativity with infant mortality rate among Hispanic preterm infants

J Perinatol. 2024 Feb;44(2):179-186. doi: 10.1038/s41372-024-01875-w. Epub 2024 Jan 17.

Abstract

Objectives: Among US-born preterm infants of Hispanic mothers, we analyzed the unadjusted and adjusted infant mortality rate (IMR) by country/region of origin and maternal nativity status.

Study design: Using linked national US birth and death certificate data (2005-2014), we examined preterm infants of Hispanic mothers by subgroup and nativity. Clinical and sociodemographic covariates were included and the main outcome was death in the first year of life.

Results: In our cohort of 891,216 preterm Hispanic infants, we demonstrated different rates of infant mortality by country and region of origin, but no difference between infants of Hispanic mothers who were US vs. foreign-born.

Conclusion: These findings highlight the need to disaggregate the heterogenous Hispanic birthing population into regional and national origin groups to better understand unique factors associated with adverse perinatal outcomes in order to develop more targeted interventions for these subgroups.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Central America / ethnology
  • Cuba / ethnology
  • Ethnicity / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Hispanic or Latino* / ethnology
  • Hispanic or Latino* / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Infant Health* / ethnology
  • Infant Health* / statistics & numerical data
  • Infant Mortality* / ethnology
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature*
  • Mexico / ethnology
  • Mothers* / statistics & numerical data
  • Pregnancy
  • Puerto Rico / ethnology
  • South America / ethnology
  • United States / epidemiology