Low Birth Weight Among Infants, by Race/Ethnicity: 1989–2005

The percentage of infants of all races and ethnicities born at low birth weight has increased from 1989 to 2005. Historically, a higher proportion of non-Hispanic Black infants are born at a low birth weight, and that trend continues to the present. In 2005, 14.0 percent of non-Hispanic Black infants had a low birth weight, compared to 8.0 percent of Asian/Pacific Islanders, 7.4 percent of American Indian/Alaska Natives, 7.3 percent of non-Hispanic Whites, and 6.9 percent of Hispanic infants. Percent of infants with low birth weight in 2005 was:

  • Non-Hispanic Black: 14.0%
  • All Races: 8.2%
  • Asian/Pacific Islander: 8.0
  • American Indian/Alaska Native: 7.4%
  • Non-Hispanic White: 7.3%
  • Hispanic: 6.9%

Source: Martin JA, Hamilton BE, Sutton PD, Ventura SJ, Menacker F, Kirmeyer S, Munson ML. Births: Final data for 2005. National vital statistics reports; vol 56 no 6. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2007.

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