Abstract: The effects of WIC prenatal participation were examined
using data from the Massachusetts Birth and Death Registry.
The birth outcomes of 4,126 pregnant women who participated in
the WIC program and gave birth in 1978 were compared to those of
4,126 women individually matched on maternal age, race, parity,
education, and marital status who did not participate in WIC. WIC
prenatal participants are at greater demographic risk for poor
pregnancy outcomes compare to all women in the same community.
WIC participation is associated with improved pregnancy outcomes,
including, a decrease in low birthweight (LBW) incidence (6.9 per
cent vs 8.7 per cent) and neonatal mortality (12 vs 35 deaths), an