A recent study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) suggests that babies born to immigrant parents in Canada may be at an increased risk of complications at birth. The study, conducted by researchers at McGill University and Université de Montréal, analyzed Statistics Canada data of nearly eight million Canadian births over a 25-year period. They found that the rate of stillbirth and preterm birth was higher among immigrant parents compared to native Canadians, with differences in outcomes observed based on the admission category of immigrants.
The study found that babies born to immigrant parents had an increased risk of being small for gestational age (SGA) but a lower risk of being large for gestational age (LGA) compared to Canadian-born parents. Additionally, the risk of infant death within the first year of life was lower among immigrants. The risk levels for stillbirth and preterm birth were lowest for economic-class immigrants and highest for refugees, likely due to differences in access to healthcare services among different immigrant groups.
The authors of the study suggested that systemic racism could be a factor contributing to the increased risk of preterm birth among immigrants compared to Canadian-born parents. Other risk factors for early preterm birth include smoking, being underweight, and intrauterine infection. A separate study published in the CMAJ found that maternal obesity was associated with an increased likelihood of stillbirth. Overall, data shows that babies in Canada are getting smaller, with an increase in SGA births and a decrease in mean birth weight from 2000 to 2016.
Immigration accounts for nearly a quarter of the Canadian population, according to the 2021 census data. In 2023, most of Canada’s population growth rate was attributed to temporary immigration, with Statistics Canada reporting the highest growth rate since 1957. With the increasing diversity of the Canadian population, understanding the varying risk factors and outcomes for different immigrant groups is essential for providing tailored care and support. The findings of this study highlight the importance of considering the unique characteristics and needs of immigrant populations in maternal and neonatal healthcare.
