Low Birthweight – Mothers Aged 15 to 19 Years

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Abstract

Teen mothers often have a higher proportion of low birthweight babies than do mothers in the 20 to 39 year age group. There is a significant concentration of high low birthweight rates for teen mothers in Atlantic Canada. Areas with very high 1996 low birthweight rates (8.0% and greater) are most commonly found in Quebec and Ontario.

Low birthweight (LBW) is a health status indicator, and is defined as babies born with weight under 2500 grams. The proportion of low birthweight babies born to mothers 15 years of age and older indicates the health and well-being of a population. Health status refers to the state of health of a person or group, and measures causes of sickness and death. It can also include people’s assessment of their own health.

Almost half of the census divisions (CDs) are not reported in the map of LBW for teen mothers due to insufficient numbers. The remaining CDs do, however, reinforce the earlier observation that teen mothers often have higher proportions of low birthweight babies than do mothers in the 20 to 39 year age group. This is reflected in the significantly larger proportion of geographical units in the mapping categories of greater than 7.0%. These areas are spread across the country. Unlike the LBW Rates for Babies Born by Mothers 15 plus Years of Age map, there is a significant concentration of high LBW rates for teen mothers in Atlantic Canada, with some of the highest rates occurring in Newfoundland and Labrador. Some of the lowest LBW rates for teen mothers occur in the Yukon and the Prairies. CDs with very high 1996 LBW rates (8.0% and greater) are most commonly found in Quebec and Ontario.