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Cited by 351

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 83 of the 83 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

The Effect of Maternal Stress on Birth Outcomes: Exploiting a Natural Experiment

Open access
Torche, Florencia·2011·Demography

Abstract

A growing body of research highlights that in utero conditions are consequential for individual outcomes throughout the life cycle, but research assessing causal processes is scarce. This article examines the effect of one such condition—prenatal maternal stress—on birth weight, an early outcome shown to affect cognitive, educational, and socioeconomic attainment later in life. Exploiting a major earthquake as a source of acute stress and using a difference-in-difference methodology, I find that maternal exposure to stress results in a significant decline in birth weight and an increase in the proportion of low birth weight. This effect is focused on the first trimester of gestation, and it is mediated by reduced gestational age rather than by factors affecting the intrauterine growth of term infants. The findings highlight the relevance of understanding the early emergence of unequal outcomes and of investing in maternal well-being since the onset of pregnancy.

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Metadata

Authors
Torche, F.
Venue
Demography
Published
2011-08-26
Volume
48
Issue
4
Pages
1473-1491
ISSN
  • 0070-3370 (ISSN-L)
  • 1533-7790
OpenAlex
W2049814383
Cited by
351
References
83
FWCI
13.70
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
bronze

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Torche, F. (2011). The Effect of Maternal Stress on Birth Outcomes: Exploiting a Natural Experiment. Demography. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13524-011-0054-z

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