Increasing incidence of low birthweight--United States, 1981-1991.

A national health objective for the year 2000 is to reduce low birthweight (LBW) (< 2500 g [< 5 lbs, 8 oz]) to an incidence of no more than 5% of live-born infants (50.0 per 1000) (objective 14.5). During 1970-1985, the incidence of LBW in the United States declined steadily (2); however, from 1985 to 1991, the incidence increased slightly, from 67.5 to 71.2. In 1991, disorders relating to short gestation and LBW were the primary cause of death among black infants and the third leading cause among white infants. To characterize trends in the race-specific incidence of LBW by period of gestation from 1981 to 1991, data from birth certificates were analyzed. This report summarizes the results of that analysis.