Term Low Birth Weight or Macrosomia among Immigrant Mothers in Korea

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between maternal origin and risks of term low birth weight (TLBW) or macrosomia in Korea. Methods: Using Korean birth statistics from 2009 to 2015, we examined the association between maternal nationality and risks of TLBW (less than 2.5 kg) or term macrosomia (over 4.0 kg). Birth statistics included singleton live births in women, from 37 to 41 weeks’ gestation, during the period 2009-2015. Immigrant mothers were defined as women born in any country other than Korea, and were grouped by economic level of maternal country of origin. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated with multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: There were significant differences in neonatal birth weights between Korean mothers and immigrant mothers (3.28±0.38 kg vs. 3.24±0.39 kg, P