The Medical journal of Australia
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A cross-sectional anthropometric survey of 128 Aboriginal children under five years of age and of 388 Aboriginal girls and women of child-bearing age was undertaken in seven communities in the Kimberley Region of Western Australia. More than 20% of the children were undernourished, three individuals severely so. ⋯ The findings indicate that poor nutrition is widespread among Aboriginal female subjects of child-bearing age. Maternal malnutrition may contribute significantly to unsatisfactory nutrition and health in Aboriginal infants and young children.
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It is generally acknowledged that malignant melanoma is very rare in children before puberty, but recommendations for the treatment of pigmented moles often seem to discount this information. To document the frequency of malignant melanoma in Australian children of prepubertal age, several methods were used. ⋯ It is, therefore, suggested that prophylactic removal of pigmented moles is generally not indicated in children before puberty, and that removal of a pigmented mole because of the possibility that malignant melanoma has developed should rarely be necessary in this age group. This information may help to reduce the concern that is often expressed about pigmented lesions in children, and to prevent unnecessary surgery.