182-187 Reichman

Since low birth weight is a leading cause of infant mortality,7 varying rates of this outcome among Hispanic subgroups may translate to similarly varying patterns in infant mortality. On the other hand, if access to neonatal intensive care services differs by maternal birthplace or ethnicity, then infant mortality rates might not reflect differences in low-birth-weight rates among Hispanic subgroups. As a broad group, Hispanic women tend to have favorable birth outcomes, but outcomes vary among those of different origins. For instance, Puerto Rican women, whether born on the mainland or on the island, have a higher risk of delivering low-birth-weight babies than other Hispanic women (as well as a higher risk than non-Hispanic white women).8 In addition, their infants have a higher mortality rate than babies born to other Hispanic women.9 Women of Mexican descent, particularly those born in Mexico, tend to have favorable birth outcomes despite poor use of prenatal care services and low socioeconomic status,10 a phenomenon known as the “Mexican paradox.” Thus, cultural and lifestyle factors likely play a role in birth outcomes, and analysis of specific subgroups of Hispanic women can have important implications for public policy. Using data on births in New Jersey in Prenatal Care, Birth Outcomes and Newborn Hospitalization Costs: Patterns Among Hispanics in New Jersey