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US infant mortality rate fails to improve
May 09, 2006Premature birth and low birthweight major contributors to infant death
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. - Nearly 28,000 babies died before their first birthday, according to new infant mortality statistics for 2003 released by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
The infant mortality rates showed no significant improvement in 2003 after increasing in 2002 for the first time since 1958.
In 2003, the infant mortality rate was 6.8 deaths for every 1,000 live births, which was statistically unchanged from the 2002 rate of 7.0. Two-thirds of all infant deaths occurred within the first month of life.
"These new statistics are sobering. Essentially there has been no improvement in the infant death rate since 2000. Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death in the first month of life and preventing premature birth remains at the forefront of the March of Dimes agenda," said Nancy Green, M.D., medical director of the March of Dimes. "We must be more focused upon reversing the stagnancy in the rate of infant mortality, a key indicator of child health, including working to reduce preterm and low birthweight births."
Birthweight and gestational age are two major predictors of infant health and survival. In 2003 birth defects, as well as prematurity and low birthweight remained the leading causes of infant death, according to the NCHS.
The percentage of infant deaths occurring to babies born premature (less than 37 weeks gestation) or with a low birthweight (less than 2500 grams or 5.5 pounds) increased 9 percent between 1995 and 2003, according to an analyses by the March of Dimes.
Babies born at less than 28 weeks gestation accounted for less than 1 percent (0.7 percent) all live births but nearly half (46.4 percent) of all U.S. infant deaths in 2003. Also, infants weighing less than 1,000 grams or 2.2 pounds at birth also accounted for less than one percent (0.8 percent) of births and nearly half (48.7 percent) of all infant deaths in the U.S. in 2003.
Multiple births had mortality rates more than five times that of singleton babies, according to the NCHS report. Babies born to Black mothers continued to have the highest rate of infant deaths at 13.5 per 1,000 live births, while Asians had the lowest rate at 4.8. The rate for American Indians was 8.7 and for Whites it was 5.7. Infants born to Hispanic mothers, who can be of any race, had an infant mortality rate of 5.6.
The March of Dimes "I Want My Nine Months" educational campaign aims to inform women and their doctors what they can do- even before pregnancy - to help give babies their full nine months of gestation.
Women should avoid the dangers to the fetus of smoking, as maternal smoking is associated with higher infant mortality rates and increased risk of preterm and low birthweight births. The March of Dimes also urges women to take a multivitamin containing folic acid prior to and during early pregnancy to reduce the risk of serious birth defects; abstain from drinking alcohol during pregnancy and see their doctors to help manage chronic health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity.
"Infant Mortality Statistics from the 2003 Period Linked Birth/Infant Death Data Set" was published in Vol. 54, No. 16 of the National Vital Statistics report. Also available from the March of Dimes is a state-by-state table of infant mortality rates, as well a graphic of the United States. To access PeriStats go to www.marchofdimes.com/peristats - your online source for perinatal statistics.
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
In 2003, the infant mortality rate was 6.8 deaths for every 1,000 live births, which was statistically unchanged from the 2002 rate of 7.0. Two-thirds of all infant deaths occurred within the first month of life.
"These new statistics are sobering. Essentially there has been no improvement in the infant death rate since 2000. Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death in the first month of life and preventing premature birth remains at the forefront of the March of Dimes agenda," said Nancy Green, M.D., medical director of the March of Dimes. "We must be more focused upon reversing the stagnancy in the rate of infant mortality, a key indicator of child health, including working to reduce preterm and low birthweight births."
Birthweight and gestational age are two major predictors of infant health and survival. In 2003 birth defects, as well as prematurity and low birthweight remained the leading causes of infant death, according to the NCHS.
The percentage of infant deaths occurring to babies born premature (less than 37 weeks gestation) or with a low birthweight (less than 2500 grams or 5.5 pounds) increased 9 percent between 1995 and 2003, according to an analyses by the March of Dimes.
Babies born at less than 28 weeks gestation accounted for less than 1 percent (0.7 percent) all live births but nearly half (46.4 percent) of all U.S. infant deaths in 2003. Also, infants weighing less than 1,000 grams or 2.2 pounds at birth also accounted for less than one percent (0.8 percent) of births and nearly half (48.7 percent) of all infant deaths in the U.S. in 2003.
Multiple births had mortality rates more than five times that of singleton babies, according to the NCHS report. Babies born to Black mothers continued to have the highest rate of infant deaths at 13.5 per 1,000 live births, while Asians had the lowest rate at 4.8. The rate for American Indians was 8.7 and for Whites it was 5.7. Infants born to Hispanic mothers, who can be of any race, had an infant mortality rate of 5.6.
The March of Dimes "I Want My Nine Months" educational campaign aims to inform women and their doctors what they can do- even before pregnancy - to help give babies their full nine months of gestation.
Women should avoid the dangers to the fetus of smoking, as maternal smoking is associated with higher infant mortality rates and increased risk of preterm and low birthweight births. The March of Dimes also urges women to take a multivitamin containing folic acid prior to and during early pregnancy to reduce the risk of serious birth defects; abstain from drinking alcohol during pregnancy and see their doctors to help manage chronic health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity.
"Infant Mortality Statistics from the 2003 Period Linked Birth/Infant Death Data Set" was published in Vol. 54, No. 16 of the National Vital Statistics report. Also available from the March of Dimes is a state-by-state table of infant mortality rates, as well a graphic of the United States. To access PeriStats go to www.marchofdimes.com/peristats - your online source for perinatal statistics.
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
Infant Mortality Current Events and Infant Mortality News RSSUNC study: Insecticide-treated bed nets reduce infant deaths in Democratic Republic of Congo
Giving insecticide-treated bed nets to nearly 18,000 mothers at prenatal clinics in the Democratic Republic of Congo prevented an estimated 414 infant deaths from malaria, a study by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers concludes.
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Spinal Muscular Atrophy is the second-leading cause of infant mortality in the world.
Study reveals conflict between doctors, midwives over homebirth
Two Oregon State University researchers have uncovered a pattern of distrust - and sometimes outright antagonism - among physicians at hospitals and midwives who are transporting their home-birth clients to the hospital because of complications.
Maternal smoking may alter the arousal process of infants, increasing their risk for SIDS
A study in the April 1 issue of the journal SLEEP shows that maternal smoking is associated with an impaired infant arousal process that may increase the risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The authors suggest that maternal smoking has replaced stomach sleeping as the greatest modifiable risk factor for SIDS.
Studies link maternity leave with fewer C-sections and increased breastfeeding
Two new studies led by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, suggest that taking maternity leave before and after the birth of a baby is a good investment in terms of health benefits for both mothers and newborns.
Patient-derived induced stem cells retain disease traits
hen neurons started dying in Clive Svendsen's lab dishes, he couldn't have been more pleased. The dying cells - the same type lost in patients with the devastating neurological disease spinal muscular atrophy - confirmed that the University of Wisconsin-Madison stem cell biologist had recreated the hallmarks of a genetic disorder in the lab, using stem cells derived from a patient.
Depression during pregnancy can double risk of preterm delivery
Depressed pregnant women have twice the risk of preterm delivery than pregnant women with no symptoms of depression, according to a new study by the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research.
Post-term pregnancies risk infant's life and health, UCSF studies show
Infants born more than one week past their due dates have a higher risk of both impaired health and death, according to two new studies by authors from the University of California's San Francisco and Berkeley campuses.
Alcohol consumption can cause too much cell death, fetal abnormalities
The initial signs of fetal alcohol syndrome are slight but classic: facial malformations such as a flat and high upper lip, small eye openings and a short nose.
Stroke and SIDS in Alaska topics of neuroscience conference
University of Alaska Fairbanks neuroscientists studying stroke and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome will present their research findings at the 7th Conference of the Specialized Neuroscience Research Programs in New York Aug. 19-22, 2008.
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Historic Print (S): Better housing The solution to infant mortality in the slums / Benj. Sheer. by Library Images This is a museum quality, reproduction print on premium paper with archival/UV resistant inks. The framed work is single matted (ivory), under acrylic glass, with a hanging wire. [New York : Federal Art Project, 1936] Date stamped on verso: Dec 18 1936. Work Projects Administration Poster Collection (Library of Congress). New York City Housing Authority - Fiorello H. La Guardia, Mayor - Langdon W. Post, Comm. 1 print on board (poster) : silkscreen, color. New York City Housing Authority--Public relations--1930-1940. Infants--New York (State)--New York--1930-1940. Death--1930-1940. Slums--New York (State)--New York--1930-1940. City planning--New York (State)--New York--1930-1940. Housing--New York (State)--New York--1930-1940. SOURCE: Library of Congress | |
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ABC News 20/20 Babyland There are places in America where the unthinkable is happening -- too many babies are dying. In most cities, black babies are dying at three times the rate of white babies. That's what's happening in Memphis, Tennessee, the city with the nation's highest rate of infant mortality. A baby dies there on average every 43 hours. But many people are working to change that startling statistic. ABC News travels to Memphis and follows a black teenage mother-to-be who is mentored by a volunteer from a white suburban church in order to ensure that both mother and baby stay healthy. The surprising relationship between these two women, the poor black mother and the white mentor of comfortable means, becomes the emotional center of the documentary. ABC News reports the medical story of infant... |
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Historic Print (M): Better housing The solution to infant mortality in the slums / Benj. Sheer. by Library Images This is a museum quality, reproduction print on premium paper with archival/UV resistant inks. [New York : Federal Art Project, 1936] Date stamped on verso: Dec 18 1936. Work Projects Administration Poster Collection (Library of Congress). New York City Housing Authority - Fiorello H. La Guardia, Mayor - Langdon W. Post, Comm. 1 print on board (poster) : silkscreen, color. New York City Housing Authority--Public relations--1930-1940. Infants--New York (State)--New York--1930-1940. Death--1930-1940. Slums--New York (State)--New York--1930-1940. City planning--New York (State)--New York--1930-1940. Housing--New York (State)--New York--1930-1940. SOURCE: Library of Congress | |
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