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Prenatal Economic Shocks and Birth Outcomes

Author

Listed:
  • Andrew E. Clark

    (PSE - Paris School of Economics - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - ENS-PSL - École normale supérieure - Paris - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement, PJSE - Paris Jourdan Sciences Economiques - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - ENS-PSL - École normale supérieure - Paris - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement, LSE - London School of Economics and Political Science)

  • Conchita d'Ambrosio

    (INSIDE - INtegrative research unit on Social and Individual DEvelopment [Luxembourg] - uni.lu - Université du Luxembourg = University of Luxembourg = Universität Luxemburg)

  • Rohde Nicolas

    (Griffith University [Brisbane])

Abstract

We consider the effects of major prenatal economic shocks experienced by mothers on two indicatorsof newborn-infant health, birth weight and head circumference, using detailed microdata from the UKALSPAC survey. Controlling for physiological and socioeconomic factors, an economic shock in the first18 weeks of gestation lowers birth weight by 40-70 grams and head circumference by 2-3mm. We findevidence of transmission via poorer maternal health due to absolute material deprivation and tobaccoand alcohol consumption, but not for the endocrinological effects of increased psychosocial anxiety. Thefragile-male hypothesis holds for birth weight but not for head circumference, as predicted by recenttheories on gender differences in prenatal development.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrew E. Clark & Conchita d'Ambrosio & Rohde Nicolas, 2021. "Prenatal Economic Shocks and Birth Outcomes," PSE-Ecole d'économie de Paris (Postprint) halshs-03029868, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:pseptp:halshs-03029868
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ehb.2020.100964
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    Cited by:

    1. Berthelon, Matias & Kruger, Diana & Sanchez, Rafael, 2021. "Maternal stress during pregnancy and early childhood development," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 43(C).
    2. Hoyong Jung, 2023. "Can Universal Cash Transfer Save Newborns’ Birth Weight During the Pandemic?," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 42(1), pages 1-22, February.

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