Growth and morbidity in children in a remote aboriginal community in north-west Australia

As part of a wider social and environmental impact study, we have investigated the current state of health and nutrition in children who were living in a remote Aboriginal community in far north-west Australia. There was evidence of widespread mild-to-moderate malnutrition and a high prevalence of infections, particularly of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, and trachoma. Low birth weight was significantly associated with the presence of undernutrition at five years of age. Our results suggest that malnutrition in utero during infancy and in early childhood and the factors which cause it may impair the growth of young Australian Aborigines permanently.