Complete Health Indicator Report of Sex Ratio at Birth
Definition
The sex ratio at birth is the comparison of male births to female births (term singletons only). The expected sex ratio at birth (male to female) is 1.05, or 5% more males born than females.Numerator
Number of live male births in a specific period of timeDenominator
Number of live female births in a specific period of timeWhy Is This Important?
The expected sex ratio at birth (male to female) is 1.05, or 5% more males born than females. 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.Other Objectives
Some factors can affect the sex of a newborn. Decreases in male births have been shown to be inversely related to parental smoking, gestation length, parental age, and birth order. Reproductive practices and social constructs regarding sex preferences - males over females, for example - can affect the observed sex ratio. Although the mechanism which determines the sex of the infant is not completely understood, some environmental studies 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.What Is Being Done?
The Office of Vital Records and Statistics at the Utah Department of Health records all birth records along with their associated sex.Graphical Data Views
Sex Ratio at Birth by Year, 1989-2017
| Year | Male to Female Sex Ratio at Birth (Term Singletons Only) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Record Count: 29 | ||||||
| 1989 | 1.06 | |||||
| 1990 | 1.04 | |||||
| 1991 | 1.06 | |||||
| 1992 | 1.04 | |||||
| 1993 | 1.06 | |||||
| 1994 | 1.05 | |||||
| 1995 | 1.03 | |||||
| 1996 | 1.06 | |||||
| 1997 | 1.04 | |||||
| 1998 | 1.03 | |||||
| 1999 | 1.05 | |||||
| 2000 | 1.05 | |||||
| 2001 | 1.05 | |||||
| 2002 | 1.04 | |||||
| 2003 | 1.03 | |||||
| 2004 | 1.04 | |||||
| 2005 | 1.04 | |||||
| 2006 | 1.06 | |||||
| 2007 | 1.05 | |||||
| 2008 | 1.04 | |||||
| 2009 | 1.04 | |||||
| 2010 | 1.05 | |||||
| 2011 | 1.04 | |||||
| 2012 | 1.05 | |||||
| 2013 | 1.06 | |||||
| 2014 | 1.05 | |||||
| 2015 | 1.05 | |||||
| 2016 | 1.03 | |||||
| 2017 | 1.06 | |||||
Data Notes
Sex ratio at birth was calculated using resident births (regardless where the birth occurred), term (37-42 weeks), and singletons only.Data Source
Office of Vital Records and Statistics, Utah Department of HealthReferences and Community Resources
Office of Vital Records and Statistics, Utah Department of HealthMore Resources and Links
Evidence-based community health improvement ideas and interventions may be found at the following sites:Additional indicator data by state and county may be found on these Websites:
- CDC Prevention Status Reports for all 50 states
- County Health Rankings
- Kaiser Family Foundation's StateHealthFacts.org
- CDC WONDER DATA2010, the Healthy People 2010 Database.
Medical literature can be queried at the PubMed website.
Page Content Updated On 11/14/2018,
Published on 11/29/2018
