Study investigates time trends, projections, and spatial distribution of Low Birthweight in Australia, 2009–2030.

30 Jan 2023

Infants with low birthweight (LBW) have increased in many high-resource countries over the past two decades. This study, led by UQ Poche Centre Research Fellow Dr M Mamun Huda, investigated the time trends, projections, and spatial distribution of LBW in Australia, 2009–2030.

Low birthweight (LBW)—defined as newborns weighing less than 2500 g—is an important marker of infant health because of its close relationship with infant morbidity, mortality, and lifelong poor health. 

Overall, the prevalence of LBW has slightly increased in Australia during 2009–2019; however, the trends vary across different subpopulations. For example, we found that the prevalence of LBW was almost two times higher among Indigenous mothers than non-Indigenous mothers and that this high prevalence of LBW among Indigenous mothers remained stable during the study period. Furthermore, the prevalence of LBW increased among non-Indigenous mothers.

If trends persist, Australia will not achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target of a 30% reduction in LBW by 2030. Centering and supporting the most vulnerable subpopulations is vital to progress the SDGs and improve perinatal and infant health in Australia.


Huda, M. MamunCallaway, Leonie K., Jackson, Greg, Fatima, Yaqoot, Cumming, Janet, Biswas, Tuhin, Paz, Gonzalo R., Boyle, Fran, Sly, Peter D., and Mamun, Abdullah Al (2023). Time trends, projections, and spatial distribution of low birthweight in Australia, 2009-2030: evidence from the National Perinatal Data Collection. 

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