The purpose of this article is to provide new empirical evidence linking migration of Mexican households to the USA with infant health outcomes. By using new data for Mexico, the Encuesta Nacional de la Dinamica Demografica 2006, this research focuses on the effect of migration on birth weight. Multivariate logistic regression methods are used to model low birth weight (LBW) as a function of a set of proximate, intermediate and socioeconomic determinants. In analyzing the channels through which migration affects birth outcomes, the findings provide no conclusive evidence for remittances as the only mechanism associated with lowering the odds of LBW. Given the limitations of the data, the study results showed new empirical evidence explaining the significance of both financial and social remittances associated with international migration and infant health outcomes in Mexico. © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Remittance Migration Health low birthweight Mexico

Models, Biological prenatal care Maternal Age risk home environment human pregnancy disorder priority journal Logistic Models Health Surveys Mexico financial remittance Family Characteristics academic achievement marriage United States income population size Humans Infant, Newborn empirical research residential area Socioeconomic Factors Infant, Low Birth Weight Article Family Relations low birth weight migration prematurity Emigration and Immigration parity Fetal Growth Retardation disease association