Birth Risk Factor Data Contact, Citation and Description
Updated 3/22/06

Contact: Joyce Grant-Worley, Oregon Department of Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention & Epidemiology, Center for Health Statistics, joyce.a.grant-worley@state.or.us

Citation: Birth Certificate Data: Oregon Department of Human Services, Center for Health Statistics

Description: Data for the Fertility and Birth Risk Factor Assessment Topics are derived from Oregon birth certificate records. See Fertility Data Description for more information.

Health risk behavior during pregnancy (e.g., alcohol or tobacco use) is likely to be underestimated since this information is self-reported.

Normal Birthweight -  Percentage of live births in which the infant weighed 2,500 grams (5 pounds, 8 ounces) or more among live births for which the birth weight is unknown.

Low Birthweight -  Percentage of live births in which the infant weighed less than 2,500 grams (5 pounds, 8 ounces) among live births for which the birth weight is unknown.

Moderately Low Birthweight -  Percentage of live births in which the infant weighed at least 1,500 but less than 2,500 grams (3.3 to 5.5 pounds) among live births for which the birth weight is known.

Very Low Birthweight -  Percentage of live births in which the infant weighed less than 1,500 grams (3 pounds, 5 ounces) among live births for which the birth weight is known.

Multiple Birth -  Percentage of live births in which more than one baby was delivered (Twins, Triplets, etc.).

Mother's Age <18 -  Percentage of live births to women less than age 18 among births for which the mother's age is known. The indicator is often called the "school-age" birth rate or the "adolescent" birth rate.

Mother's Age <20 -  Percentage of live births to women less than age 20 among births for which the mother's age is known. This indicator is often called the "teen" birth rate.

Mother Unmarried -  Percentage of live births to an unmarried mother, among births for which the mother's marital status is known.

Premature Birth, Calculated -  Percentage of live births in which the infant was born before the end of the 37th week of gestation based on a calculated gestational age, among births for which the calculated gestational age is known. The calculated gestational age is determined by subtracting the last menses date from the date of birth.  If the month but not the day of the last menses is known, 15 is used for the day of the month. Calculated gestational age is imputed from birthweight when the date of last menses is unknown in a manner that is consistent with national standards. 

Premature Birth, Estimated -  Percentage of live births in which the infant was born before the end of the 37th week of gestation based on an estimated gestational age, among births for which the estimated gestational age is known.  The estimated gestational age of infant is determined by physician's estimate at time of birth.

Care Began in the First Trimester -  Percentage of live births in which the mother started prenatal care in the first trimester of the pregnancy, among births for which the month care begin is known.

Late or No Prenatal Care -  Percentage of live births in which the mother received late (Third Trimester) or no prenatal care, among births for which the month care began is known.

Adequate/Inadequate Care - Kotelchuck Index -  Percentage of live births in which the mother received adequate or inadequate prenatal care according to the Kotelchuck Index of prenatal care, among births for which the Kotelchuck Index can be computed. The index reflects both date of initiation and number of prenatal care visits.

Weight Gain <25 Pounds -  Percentage of live births for which the mother had a weight gain of less than 25 pounds during pregnancy, among births for which the maternal weight gain is known. 

Smoking During Pregnancy -  Percentage of live births in which the mother reported smoking during pregnancy, among births for which the mother's smoking status is known. 

Maternal Alcohol Use -  Percentage of live births in which the mother reported alcohol use during pregnancy among births for which the status of maternal alcohol use is known. 

Mother has Anemia -  Percentage of live births in which the mother had anemia among births for which the mother's anemia status is known.