A lide course perspective will capitalise on existing data collected since 1996 by the ALSWH linked with NSW adminsitrative data - Perinatal Data Collection and Admitted Patient Data Collection. Complex analyses will determine risk factors for low birth wright, identify the factors that put women most at risk and assess the impact of cumulative and long-term risk factors on risk of low birth weight. Identification of the most serious combinations of risk factors experienced over time will inform the development fo interventions in order to reduce the numbers of infants born low birth weight. Our approach will enhance the literature in the area, which all too often takes a cross-sectional approach to data analysis, or targets a single risk factor.
Dr Alexis Hure, Associate Professor Deborah Loxton, Catherine Chojenta, Amy Anderson, Melissa Harris