Effect of smoking among Indigenous and non-Indigenous mothers on preterm birth and full-term low birthweight.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the percentage of preterm (< 37 weeks) and full-term low-birthweight (37-41 weeks, < 2500 g) babies born to mothers who smoke, stratified by Indigenous status and statistically adjusted for the potential confounding effects of social and demographic factors, medical conditions and pregnancy complications.


METHODS
Population-based study of singleton babies born to mothers resident in Queensland who gave birth in Queensland from 1 July 2005 to 31 December 2006.


METHODS
Adjusted percentages of preterm birth and full-term low birthweight for babies born to Indigenous and non-Indigenous mothers.


RESULTS
Of the 79 803 babies studied, 4228 (5.3%) were born to Indigenous mothers and 16 395 (20.5%) were born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy. The percentage of Indigenous mothers who smoked (54%) was almost triple that for non-Indigenous mothers (risk ratio, 2.90; 95% CI, 2.81-2.99). The adjusted outcomes for babies born to Indigenous non-smokers were similar to those for non-Indigenous non-smokers (preterm, 7.1% v 6.1%; full-term low birthweight, 1.6% v 1.1%). The adjusted percentages for smokers were high regardless of Indigenous status (preterm, Indigenous v non-Indigenous, 8.3% v 7.8%; full-term low birthweight, Indigenous v non-Indigenous, 5.3% v 3.7%).


CONCLUSIONS
Antenatal smoking remains an important cause of poor health among both Indigenous and non-Indigenous newborn babies. Most pregnant smokers receive their antenatal care in the public sector. State and federal governments, who directly fund this sector, have a particular responsibility to ensure that interventions are offered to all pregnant smokers to help them quit smoking.
Wills
Rachael-Anne
RA
Health Statistics Centre, Queensland Health, Brisbane, QLD. Rachael_Wills@health.qld.gov.au
Coory
Michael D
MD
D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008425:Maternal Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D009035:Mothers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000208:ethnology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000208:ethnology; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000208:ethnology*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011793:Queensland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012907:Smoking / Q000208:ethnology*; D055815:Young Adult