The effect of WIC participation on small-for-gestational-age births: Michigan, 1992.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the relationship between enrollment in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and delivery of small-for-gestational-age infants. METHODS: WIC records were linked with birth certificates for 1992 full-term births; 41,234 WIC records and 18,34 non-WIC records were identified. Length of participation was defined by gestational age at enrollment. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between WIC participation and small-for-gestational-age births. RESULTS: Odds ratios for small-for-gestational-age birth decreased with increasing length of enrollment in WIC. CONCLUSIONS: Enrollment in WIC is associated with a lower prevalence of small-for-gestational-age deliveries.