Health Indicator Report of Birth Outcomes: Sex Ratio at Birth
Population growth is, in part, related to the number of live male children. Numerous studies have reported changes in the ratio of males to females at birth; many of the studies have found a reduction in male relative to female births in different countries throughout the world. Although the mechanism which determines the sex of the infant is not completely understood, some, but not all, have suggested that environmental hazards can affect how many males are born. Biological parent(s) and/or the fetus can come in contact with and become exposed to different hazards referred to as endocrine disruptors. Fewer males are conceived when exposure to endocrine disruptors results in a decrease in testosterone. Because states have accurate Vital Statistics (VS) records on the sex of live births, changes over time in the sex ratio of infants can be measured as the ratio of males to females.
Male to Female Sex Ratio at Birth (Term Singletons Only) by County, New Mexico 2010-2012
Definition
The ratio of total males/total females born in a geographic area at a certain time.Numerator
The total number of full-term, singleton male infants born in a specified geographic area during and time period.Denominator
The total number of full-term, singleton female infants born in a specified geographic area during and time period.Other Objectives
CDC Environmental Public Health Tracking, Nationally Consistent Data and Measures (EPHT NCDM)
Page Content Updated On 03/12/2014,
Published on 03/13/2014
