Matthias, G S

Morgan, G

1992-04-20

To compare perinatal deaths in Aborigines and non-Aborigines, and to identify the differences between the two groups in order to plan better prevention and bring about a reduction in perinatal deaths. A retrospective review of the records of 198 consecutive perinatal deaths (96 Aboriginal and 102 non-Aboriginal) in infants delivered in the maternity unit between 1984 and 1989. Royal Darwin Hospital Maternity Unit. Stillbirth rate, neonatal death rate, perinatal mortality rate; classifying perinatal deaths by cause and birthweight. The Aboriginal perinatal mortality rate was 40.9 per 1000, three times that of the non-Aboriginal rate (13.4 per 1000). The stillbirth rate in Aborigines was 18.7 per 1000, 2.5 times that in non-Aborigines (7.2 per 1000). The Aboriginal neonatal mortality rate was 22.5 per 1000, 3.5 times the non-Aboriginal rate (6.2 per 1000). There was no significant difference in the distribution of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal perinatal deaths when classified by cause, with the exception of pre-eclampsia. Aboriginal women appeared to be 2.5 times more likely than non-Aboriginal women (P = 0.002) to have pre-eclampsia causing perinatal death. Prematurity and the unexplained categories were the major causes of perinatal death in both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal infants. The suboptimal perinatal outcome in Aborigines highlights the importance of antenatal care for Aboriginal mothers, and indirectly reflects the need for improving their standard of living.

The Medical journal of Australia 1992-04-20; 156(8): 533-7

0025-729X

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1565045/?otool=iaurydwlib

https://hdl.handle.net/10137/6922

Birth Weight

Cause of Death

Female

Humans

Infant, Newborn

Northern Territory

Pre-Eclampsia

Pregnancy

Retrospective Studies

Socioeconomic Factors

Fetal Death

Infant Mortality

Oceanic Ancestry Group

Aboriginal and non-aboriginal perinatal deaths in Darwin: a comparative view.

Comparative Study

Journal Article

Publication