PCD Strategy Evaluation 2007.pdf - NT Health Digital Library ...

The NTDH&CS also collect birthweight data across the NT in its Midwives‟ collection. Results arepublished 1-3 yearly by the Health Gains Unit. The proportion of low birthweight in NT indigenousnewborns has improved from about 16-18 per cent in the late 1980‟s to 13-15 per cent in the fiveyears from 1998 to 2002 (3) .This proportion remains about double that for the non-indigenousnewborns.Table 5.1Percentage comparison of babies by birth weight and Indigenous status in theNorthern Territory, 1986-2003. Data from NT Midwives collections 1986-2002 (3) .Year 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994Aboriginal 16.4% 16.3% 17.9% 14.1% 17.0% 15.2% 16.9% 13.6% 14.4%Non-Aboriginal 6.6% 6.7% 6.5% 5.8% 7.4% 7.9% 8.2& 6.7% 6.7%Year 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002Aboriginal 13.7% 15.5% 16.4% 12.7% 14.0% 14.7% 13.1% 14.0%Non-Aboriginal 6.2% 7.2% 6.8% 8.1% 7.5% 7.3% 6.5% 5.8%Figure 5.1Low and mean birth weights for Indigenous and non-indigenous babies in the NT1986-2002 (3) .Per cent20Low birthweightBirthw eight(gm)3500Mean birthweight1834001614123300320010310086420198619871988198919901991199219931994YearIndigenousNon-Indigenous1995199619971998199920002001200230002900280027001986198719881989199019911992199319941995YearIndigenousNon-Indigenous19961997199819992000It is important to note that an improvement in birthweight per se will not always be associatedwith less chronic disease in the long term. There is increasing recognition that large babies dueto mothers with gestational diabetes may be more likely to develop diabetes themselves inadulthood. Gestational diabetes is more common in Indigenous mothers. Therefore an increasein Aboriginal birthweight due to maternal gestational diabetes would not be an ideal outcome.20012002Chapter 5: Key Result Areas – Evaluation of the NT Preventable Chronic Disease Strategy 2007 79