Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine
Volume 32, Issue 1, 2019, Pages 62-66

Migration status and perinatal parameters in a Greek public maternity hospital: an illustration of the “healthy immigrant effect” (Article)

Sdona E. , Papamichail D. , Ragkou E. , Kakalou E. , Briana D.D. , Panagiotopoulos T. , Malamitsi-Puchner A.*
  • a Department of Neonatology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aretaieion University Hospital, Athens, Greece
  • b Department of Child Health, National School of Public Health, Athens, Greece
  • c Department of Neonatology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aretaieion University Hospital, Athens, Greece, Programme of Postgraduate Education “International Medicine–Health Crisis Management”, Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
  • d Programme of Postgraduate Education “International Medicine–Health Crisis Management”, Medical School, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
  • e Department of Neonatology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aretaieion University Hospital, Athens, Greece
  • f Department of Child Health, National School of Public Health, Athens, Greece
  • g Department of Neonatology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aretaieion University Hospital, Athens, Greece

Abstract

Background: Although socioeconomic disparities adversely affect health, studies referring to the “healthy immigrant effect” imply more favorable health outcomes in immigrants than natives. We aimed to investigate the impact of immigration on several perinatal parameters. Methods: Birth records (01/01/2010 − 31/12/2014) from a public maternity hospital in Athens, Greece were reviewed for maternal (ethnicity, age, delivery mode) and neonatal (gender, birthweight, gestational age) variables. Immigrants were classified by country of origin, according to Human Development Index. Comparison of results between Greeks and immigrants were made. Stratification by maternal age (< and ≥35 years) was conducted to test for confounding and interaction. Results: Almost one-third of 7506 deliveries applied to immigrants; 36.3% of Greeks and 19.2% of immigrants [risk ratio (RR) = 0.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.52–0.54] delivered at ≥35 years; 10.5% of Greek and 7.0% of immigrant neonates weighted <2500 g (RR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.61–0.74); 10.9% of Greeks and 8.1% of immigrants were born <37 wks (RR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.67–0.82); 55.7% of Greeks and 48.2% of immigrants delivered by caesarean section (RR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.85–0.88). Conclusion: We found that immigrant women deliver at a younger age, vaginally, more mature, and heavier neonates. Furthermore, we confirmed that the protective effect of immigrant status could not be explained by maternal age only. © 2017, © 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Author Keywords

immigrants maternal age gestational age Birthweight caesarean section

Index Keywords

immigrant Maternal Age human epidemiology immigration middle aged statistics and numerical data controlled study human development Young Adult Humans migrant male Emigrants and Immigrants stratification female newborn Greece pregnancy Article obstetric delivery Retrospective Studies major clinical study adult gender ethnicity retrospective study Birth Weight Delivery, Obstetric gestational age cesarean section
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85050356034&doi=10.1080%2f14767058.2017.1371131&partnerID=40&md5=ff3ea95f6c5d1b2887159ca5b59e46bf
DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2017.1371131
ISSN: 14767058
Cited by: 3
Original Language: English