Growth faltering in children of the Kimberley: Effects of alcohol restriction

Growth faltering in children of the Kimberley: Effects of alcohol restriction Journal Article

Australian Journal of Child and Family Health Nursing

• Author(s): Boulton, John, Fitzpatrick, James, Garnett, Sarah P, Halim, Jocelyn, Cowell, Christopher T, Elliot, Elizabeth, Latimer, Jane, Carter, Maureen, Oscar, June
• Published: 2018
• Volume: 15
• ISBN: 1839-8782

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Abstract: Objective: To describe growth patterns of weight of Australian Aboriginal children from birth to 21 months living in the Fitzroy Valley in the Kimberley region before and after the introduction of alcohol restrictions in 2007. Methods: Longitudinal weight growth data was examined from three cohorts using mixed model analysis. The cohorts were children participating in the Lililwan Study, born 2002-2003, the Kimberley CommuniCare Cohort, born 2009-2011, and a historical cohort, born 1974-1993. Results: The pattern of weight growth in the Lililwan Study (2002-2003) was unchanged from that of the historical cohort (1974-1993), with 50% falling >0.5 standard deviation scores (SDS) for weight in the first 12 months of life. Growth patterns improved following community-wide alcohol restrictions with a lower proportion of subjects decreasing weight SDS >0.5 in the Kimberley CommuniCareTM Cohort (2009-2011) compared to children in the Lililwan Study (2002-2003); 20% and 52% (P=0.015), respectively. Conclusions: Growth faltering in early childhood remains endemic in the Fitzroy Valley, but its prevalence decreased following the introduction of alcohol restrictions in 2007. Implications for public health: These results provide evidence of the benefit to children's health with an improvement in growth that followed the reduction in alcohol use from a community-driven initiative.

• Urls: https://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=192465664942534;res=IELHEA
• Keywords: Children--Growth--Measurement, Fetal alcohol syndrome--Patients, Children, Aboriginal Australian, Children--Health and hygiene, Alcohol--Health aspects, Outcome assessment (Medical care)