PERSISTENT GROWTH FALTERING AMONG ABORIGINAL INFANTS AND YOUNG-CHILDREN IN NORTH-WEST AUSTRALIA - A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY FROM 1969 TO 1993

The objective was to examine long-term changes in the growth of Aborig inal infants and young children in the Kimberley region in the far nor th-west of Australia from 1969 to 1993. A retrospective analysis of an thropometric data (weight and length) routinely collected on 0-5-year- old children in 5-year cohorts from 1969 to 1993 was carried out. From 1974-78 to 1989-93 there has been a significant increase in mean birt hweight (ANOVA p < 0.05). The percentage of low birthweight infants (< 2500 g) declined from 14% in 1979-83 to 10% in 1989-93 (p < 0.001). Th ere were no consistent improvements in the growth patterns of infants from birth to 60 months. All cohorts displayed pronounced growth falte ring in weight-for-age and height-for-age from 6 to 12 months of age a nd fell significantly below both the NCHS reference values and mean va lues for healthy breastfed infants. In conclusion, reductions in Abori ginal infant mortality and infectious disease rates over the past 20 y ears have not been accompanied by improved growth. The persistence of child malnutrition in these communities may warrant a shift in attenti on from disease treatment and prevention to a better understanding of nutritional influences, particularly weaning practices, during infancy and early childhood.