Birthweight among Children of Immigrants by Duration in the U.S.

Julien O. Teitler, Columbia University
Nancy E. Reichman, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Nathan Hutto, Columbia University

In the most comprehensive investigation of its kind, this study uses data from ECLS-b, ECLS-K, and the Fragile Families studies to describe patterns in birth outcomes among immigrants in the U.S. Preliminary findings suggest a curvilinear pattern in the association between duration of residence in the U.S. and low birthweight. Rates of low birthweight decrease as duration of residence increases for the first 10 years, but increase steadily thereafter. Additionally, we find evidence of cohort effects, particularly among women who arrived in the U.S. around 1990.