A Systematic Review of Child Health and Developmental Outcomes Associated with Low Birthweight and/or Small for Gestational Age in Indigenous Children from Australia, Canada and New Zealand

Madeleine Batchelor, Stephanie J. Brown, Karen Glover and Deirdre Gartland
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Madeleine Batchelor: Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia
Stephanie J. Brown: Intergenerational Health Department, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne 3052, Australia
Karen Glover: Intergenerational Health Department, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne 3052, Australia
Deirdre Gartland: Intergenerational Health Department, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne 3052, Australia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 23, 1-15

Abstract: While much is known about the health implications of low birthweight for infants and adults, there is limited information about the health implications in childhood, particularly for Indigenous children. The aim of this systematic review was to assess associations between low birthweight (LBW) and/or small for gestational age (SGA) and the developmental, physical or mental health outcomes for Australian, Canadian and New Zealand Indigenous children (5–12 years), including the potential mediating role of cultural connections. The review was guided by an Aboriginal Advisory Group established to guide the Aboriginal Families Study. Four databases were investigated with pre-determined inclusion/exclusion criteria. The search identified 417 articles after independent screening by two authors. Eight studies assessing six child outcomes were included. The review identified limited evidence, although the review suggested possible links between LBW and/or SGA and childhood asthma, lower body mass index (BMI) and poorer academic performance. Links between LBW, SGA and disability, global health and developmental vulnerability were inconclusive. One study identified cultural-based resilience as protective against perinatal adversity. In summary, research on the relationship between adverse birth outcomes and Indigenous children’s health and development is limited. Further investigation and collaboration with Indigenous communities is required to drive optimised health and social services responses and equitable system reform.

Keywords: small for gestational age; low birthweight; Indigenous; health; development; child (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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