Increased morbidity in outborn neonates may be related to factors such as temperature, care, hydration status, care of the defect and vascular compromise of prolapsed gut during prolonged transportation.

Neonatal outcomes for Aboriginal infants were better than expected from national and State reports. Outcomes for Torres Strait Islander infants were worse than expected. Ethnicity was not a risk factor for neonatal death. These findings suggest that outcomes may be further improved by programmes to increase access for Indigenous women to antenatal care services.

Data recorded for SIDS deaths in north Queensland are poor, preventing specific conclusions concerning SIDS risk factors. However, SIDS rates may be up to three-fold higher in the Indigenous population. A uniform system of post-mortem and death scene data reporting is needed urgently.

No abstract