Pregnancy risk factors associated with birthweight of infants born to Australian Aboriginal women in an urban setting - A retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Background: A key focus of the Closing the Gap campaign is to reduce low birthweight in Aboriginal babies. Limited research exists on factors affecting Aboriginal birthweight in urban areas. Methods: Retrospective cohort analysis of 38,382 births (38,167 non-Aboriginal, 215 Aboriginal) at the Royal Women's Hospital in Melbourne from January 2010 to December 2015. Aboriginal status was defined by mothers who identified themselves and their baby as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. The aim was to examine the association of maternal health risk behaviours and obstetric complications with birthweight of infants born to Australian Aboriginal women birthing in an urban setting. Results: Aborig..