Hospital admissions in children with developmental disabilities from ethnic minority backgrounds

Aim To compare hospital admission patterns after the first year of life in Australian children with developmental disabilities and children with no known disability, according to maternal country of birth and Indigenous status. Method This was a retrospective cohort study using linked data across health, disability, and hospital admission databases. The study investigated 656 174 children born in Western Australia between 1983 and 2008 with a total of 1 091 834 records of hospital admissions. Results Children with no known disability born to Indigenous mothers had the highest rate of hospital admissions compared to children of non‐Indigenous mothers. Children of foreign‐born mothers from low‐income countries had the highest rate of hospital admissions if disability was present. Children with cerebral palsy (CP) with or without associated intellectual disability had the highest rate of hospital admissions among children with developmental disability, especially if mothers were foreign‐born. Interpretation Children with CP and intellectual disability, particularly from minority backgrounds (Indigenous Australian and foreign‐born mothers), were at higher risk of being admitted to hospital after the first year of life. What this paper adds Hospital admissions in Australian children with and without disabilities differ according to maternal country of birth. Hospital admission rates in children without a developmental disability were greatest for Australian‐born Indigenous children. Disabled Australian‐born children of foreign‐born mothers from low‐income countries had the highest hospital admission rates. Hospital admission risk was greatest for Australian‐born children with cerebral palsy, especially if mothers were foreign‐born. What this paper adds Hospital admissions in Australian children with and without disabilities differ according to maternal country of birth. Hospital admission rates in children without a developmental disability were greatest for Australian‐born Indigenous children. Disabled Australian‐born children of foreign‐born mothers from low‐income countries had the highest hospital admission rates. Hospital admission risk was greatest for Australian‐born children with cerebral palsy, especially if mothers were foreign‐born. This article is commented on by Slaughter–Acey and Saintil on page 409 of this issue.