IPSPR: Electronic Publications

Definition: This indicator represents rates of live births where the newborn baby would be defined as a “low birth weight” baby. Low birth weight is defined as less than 2,500 grams (5lb.8oz).

Significance: A baby born within the normal range of weight for that gestational age is known ‘as appropriate for gestational age (AGA). Those born above or below that range have often had an unusual rate of development – this often indicates complications with the pregnancy that may affect the baby or its mother.”[i]

Data reflect South Carolina (SC) average, United States (US) average, and Southeast (SE) average. The southeast region consists of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Selected State Rankings, 2005 (“1” represents state with highest percentage of “low birth-weight” babies. Rankings reflect a standard competition ranking method that accounts for ties that result in two or more states having the same rank.)

Definition: This indicator represents vaccination coverage among children 19-35 months of age with 4:3:1:3:3:1 series.[ii]

Significance: According to health experts: “Vaccination is a means of producing immunity against pathogens,[iii] such as viruses and bacteria, by the introduction of live, killed, or altered antigens that stimulate the body to produce antibodies against more dangerous forms. Vaccination has generally eradicated smallpox worldwide and prevents such diseases as cholera, rabies, and typhoid. Vaccines work with the immune system's ability to recognize and destroy foreign proteins (antigens) that it determines are ‘external’ or ‘non-self.’”[iv]

Historical/Trend Analysis, Percent of Children Vaccinated, 19-35 Months of Age

Selected State Rankings, 2006 (“1” represents state with highest percentage of children vaccinated. Rankings reflect a standard competition ranking method that accounts for ties that occur when two or more states have the same percentage of children who have been vaccinated with the 4:3:1:3:3:1 series.)

[i] Retrieved July 27, 2005 from http://www.answers.com/birth+weight&r=67. Also see http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/hp.asp.

[ii] The 4:3:1:3:3:1 combined series consists of 4 or more does of diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and pertussis vaccine (DTP), diphtheria and tetanus toxoids (DT), or diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP); 3 or more doses of any poliovirus vaccine; 1 or more doses of a measles-containing vaccine (MCV); 3 or more doses of Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine (Hib); 3 or more doses of hepatitis B vaccine; and 1 or more doses of varicella vaccine. The data presented here replaces data that had been reported thru 2005 for South Carolina, the US, and the southeast representing the percentage of children 19-35 months of age with the 4:3:1:3 combined series. That series consists of 4 or more doses of diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and pertussis vaccine (DTP), diptheria and tetanus toxoids (DT), or diptheria and tetanus dixoids and acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP), 3 or more doses of any poliovirus vaccine, 1 or more doses of a measles-containing vaccine (MCV), and 3 or more doses of Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine (Hib).

[iii] According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pathogens are bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi that can cause disease. Retrieved July 28, 2005 from www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/glossary.htm.

[iv] Retrieved July 27, 2005 from http://www.answers.com/vaccination&r=67. Also see http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/hp.asp.