Intergenerational risk of preterm birth in First Nations Australians: a population-based cohort study from the Northern Territory, Australia

PTB increases the risk of health problems such as chronic renal disease and diabetes in later life and adverse impacts are inversely correlated with gestational age at birth. Rates of PTB in the Northern Territory (NT) of Australia are amongst the highest nationally and globally, with First Nations babies most affected. This study assessed the magnitude and potential drivers of intergenerational PTB recurrence in the NT. A retrospective intergenerational cohort study (1986-2017) was conducted amongst 5,366 mothers born singleton who had 9,571 singleton live births (7,673 First Nations, and 1,898 non-First Nations babies). Maternal and offspring PTB was categorised as early (