Infant mortality in 12 Aboriginal settlements: Queensland, 1972--1976.

The infant mortality rate amongst Aborigines from 12 Queensland Aboriginal settlements and missions over the years 1972 to 1976 was 72 per 1000 live births. This rate is comparable with that for Queensland of 60 years ago. The Aboriginal infants had twice the present-day Queensland risk of neonatal death and eight times the risk of postneonatal death. Prematurity was the major cause of neonatal deaths; gastroenteritis and pneumonia were the major causes of infant deaths. These rates emphasise the need for community and preventive health care for the Aboriginal children, particularly during the postneonatal period.