Inequalities in the health of newborns in the Czech Republic :birth cohort 1994-1998

Abstract

There is evidence that infant quality (adjusted odds ratio of congenital anomaly) is determined by macro-Ievel factors as well as individual risk factors. Using data for 475 834 infants in the Czech Republic in 1994-98, this study considers horizontal and verticallocality level determinants for newbom health. The biodemographic and social characteristics of infants and their mothers, infant birth weight, birth order, as well as mothers age, marital status and education level are found to be independently associated with infant health, but do not fully explain differences between geographical areas.