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Virginia A. Rauh, ScD, Howard F. Andrews, PhD and Robin S. Garfinkel, PhD

Virginia A. Rauh is with the Heilbrunn Center for Population and Family Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY. Howard F. Andrews is with the Sergievsky Center, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, and the New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY. Robin S. Garfinkel is with the Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY.

Correspondence: Requests for reprints should be sent to Virginia A. Rauh, ScD, Heilbrunn Center for Population and Family Health, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 60 Haven Ave, B-2, New York, NY 10032 (e-mail: var1{at}columbia.edu).

Objectives. This study assessed the contribution of age and other risk factors to racial disparities in rates of moderately low birthweight (MLBW; 1500–2499 g) and very low birthweight (VLBW; <1500 g).

Methods. Logistic regression models were developed to determine the effects on MLBW and VLBW of maternal age, race, and poverty, adjusting for birth order, smoking, substance abuse, marital status, and educational level. The sample consisted of 158 174 singleton births to US-born African American and White women in New York City between 1987 and 1993.

Results. The effects of maternal age on MLBW varied by race and poverty, with the most extreme effects among poor African American women. The effects of maternal age on VLBW also varied by race, but these effects were not moderated by poverty. Community poverty had a significant effect on MLBW among African American women, but no effect on VLBW. The adverse effect of older maternal age on MLBW and VLBW did not vary with community poverty.

Conclusions. Older maternal age is associated with reduced birthweight among infants born to African American women, and the age effect is exacerbated by individual poverty.

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