Trends in Fertility and Infant and Maternal Health—United States, 1980-1988

Infants born to teenaged mothers and to unmarried mothers are particularly at risk for low birth weight (LBW), which in turn increases their risk for serious morbidity, permanent disability, and death. In the United States, data from birth certificates are the primary source for monitoring trends in reproductive patterns and maternal and infant health. This report uses information from U.S. birth certificates for 1980 and for 1985-1988 to characterize trends in fertility among teenagers (aged 15-19 years) and unmarried women, use of prenatal care, and the incidence of LBW.