The effects of birth inputs on birthweight: Evidence from quantile estimation on panel data

摘要: Unobserved heterogeneity among childbearing women makes it difficult to isolate the causal effects of smoking and prenatal care on birth outcomes (such as birthweight). Whether a mother smokes, for instance, is likely be correlated with unobserved characteristics mother. This article controls such by using state-level panel data maternally linked births. A quantile-estimation approach, motivated random-effects model, used estimate other observables (number prenatal-care visits, years education, so on) entire birthweight distribution.