2006 Pregnancy Nutrition Surveillance System (PNSS)

Pregnancy Nutrition Surveillance System is a nutrition surveillance system developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. PNSS monitors risk factors associated with infant mortality and poor birth outcomes among low-income pregnant women who participate in federally funded public health programs. The system is intended to characterize trends and patterns in key indicators of maternal and infant health. This information can be used for program planning and targeting. The indicators monitored by PNSS include demographics, maternal health indicators such as pre-pregnancy weight status, prenatal weight gain, parity, inter-pregnancy intervals and anemia. Data on maternal behaviors include medical care, WIC enrollment, smoking and drinking are also included. Data on infant health include birth weight, preterm births, full term low birth weight and breastfeeding initiation are also included.

The Ohio Department of Health has participated in the PNSS system since 1999. Data being reported by Ohio to PNSS are from the Ohio WIC Program.