Respiratory distress syndrome and maternal birth weight effects

The authors analyzed information from the Washington State Department of health regarding 46000 births that occurred from 1987 through 1995. There was a significant association between maternal low birth weight (<2500 g) and infant respiratory distress syndrome among both blacks and whites. The link was statistically insignificant in the Hispanic population and nonexistent among Native Americans. There was also an association between cesarean delivery and infant respiratory distress syndrome.