Childbearing patterns among selected racial/ethnic minority groups--United States, 1990.

Childbearing patterns in the United States reflect marked increases in and variation among different racial/ethnic groups. Groups with high rates of teenage childbearing traditionally have elevated risks for low birthweight (LBW [< 2500 g (5 lb 8 oz)]) and other poor birth outcomes associated with serious infant morbidity, permanent disability, and death. To characterize childbearing variations among American Indians/Alaskan Natives, Asians/Pacific Islanders, and Hispanic ethnic groups, CDC's National Center for Health Statistics analyzed data from U.S. birth certificates for 1990.