Birth outcomes among Arab Americans in Michigan before and after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the incidence of adverse birth outcomes among Arab Americans in Michigan changed after September 11, 2001.

DESIGN: Birth data were collected on all births in Michigan from September 11, 2000, to March 11, 2001, and from September 11, 2001, to March 11, 2002. Self-reported ancestry and a name algorithm were used to determine Arab American ethnicity. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between birth before/after September 11 and birth outcomes. Main outcome measures were low birth weight (LBW), very low birth weight (VLBW), and preterm birth (PTB).

RESULTS: We observed no association between birth before/after September 11 and risk of adverse birth outcomes among Arab Americans in Michigan by using either the name algorithm or self-reported ancestry to determine Arab American ethnicity. Arab name was significantly associated with lower risk of VLBW and PTB in adjusted and unadjusted models. Arab ancestry was significantly associated with lower risk of VLBW and PTB in adjusted and unadjusted models and significantly associated with lower risk of LBW in an unadjusted model.

CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to previous findings in California, we observed no difference in adverse birth outcomes before and after the events of September 11, 2001, among Arab Americans in Michigan. Arab American ethnicity is associated with lower risk of adverse birth outcomes compared to other racial/ethnic groups.