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Evaluated the effectiveness of a prenatal-education program in increasing prenatal care utilization, improving maternal weight gain, and reducing low-birthweight births among adolescents. Data from weekly program reports and state vital statistics and health services information indicated that program participants were less likely to have inadequate prenatal care utilization and to have low-birthweight births. (SM)

Objectives. We used data from birth certificates, Medicaid, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to examine the relationship of child participation in WIC to Medicaid costs and use of health care services in North Carolina. Methods. We linked Medicaid enrollment, Medicaid paid claims, and WIC participation files to birth certificates for children born in North Carolina in 1992. We used multiple regression analysis to estimate the effects of WIC participation on the use of health care services and Medicaid costs. Results. Medicaid-enrolled children participating in the WIC program showed greater use of all types of health care services compared with Medicaid-enrolled children who were not WIC participants. Conclusions. The health care needs of low-income children who participate in WIC may be better met than those of low-income children not participating in WIC.

The Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is one of the largest public health programs in North Carolina for pregnant women and infants. WIC, a nationwide [...]

Prenatal services are crucial to healthy fetal development, and recent expansion of the Medicaid program has promoted maternal care coordination. The present study evaluated the effects of maternity care coordination services by comparing women who received the services with women who did not. Live birth certificates were obtained and matched with Medicaid claims that paid for maternity care services received. The percentage of children born underweight was 21 percent higher when mothers did not receive maternity care coordination; infant death was also higher, at 23 percent. For every $1.00 spent on maternity care coordination services, another $2.02 in medical costs for newborns was saved. There was evidence that women who received maternity coordinated care for more than three months had a better outcome (i.e., healthier babies) than those who received these services for less than three months. It is concluded that maternity care coordination is an effective way to reduce low birth weight, infant death, and medical costs associated with caring for newborns. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

A random sample of 395 December 1989 North Carolina birth certificates and the corresponding maternal hospital medical records were examined to validate selected items. Reporting was very accurate for birthweight, Apgar score, and method of delivery; fair to good for tobacco use, prenatal care, weight gain during pregnancy, obstetrical procedures, and events of labor and delivery; and poor for medical history and alcohol use. This study suggests that many of the new birth certificate items will support valid aggregate analyses for maternal and child health research and evaluation., Three hundred ninety-five North Carolina birth certificates from Dec 1989 were selected randomly for review. They were compared with the corresponding hospital records from the delivery. The purpose of the review was to verify the accuracy of the birth certificates, especially of the new items many states require. Information regarding birthweight, Apgar score and method of delivery was found to be very accurate. Reporting on mother's tobacco use, prenatal care, weight gain during pregnancy, obstetrical procedures and the events of labor and delivery was deemed to be fair to good. However, data regarding medical history and alcohol use were poor. Study results indicates that many of the items included on new birth certificates will provide valid tools for the evaluation of mother and child health studies.