Infant Mortality

Infant mortality is a subset measure of the construct morbidity, which itself is an estimation of the healthiness of a society. Characterized by variables that help to explain significant differences in infant death rates and incidence, part of the understanding of infant mortality is the construct of the death rate in a given population. As infant deaths under the age of 1 year has become relatively rare in societies that place major emphasis on maternal health, the infant death event assumes greater importance. The variables relating to infant mortality are discussed within the context of the general U.S. mortality rate.

Demographically the term infant refers to the child that is born alive and lives until he or she reaches the age of 1 year; that is, from birth through the 364th day of life. Some analysis also splits this time frame into the first 27 days (the neonatal period) and the last 337 days (the postneonatal period). Summative data for infant mortality based on the neonate and postneonate time frame [Page 600]indicates that while the mortality rate has decreased since 1995 in both categories, mortality rates for neonates in 2004 and 2005 were 4.52 and 4.54 respectively per 1,000 live births compared to 4.9 in 1995. This rate means that 67#x0025; of all infant deaths occur during the neonate period. The leading cause of neonatal death is birth defects. Similarly, the rates for the postneonatal period decreased from 2.6 per 100 live births to 2.3 in 2004. The leading cause of postneonatal death is sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). This last rate, 2.3, has been basically flat for several years.

Effect of Additional Live Births

When the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the infant mortality data for the year 2002, it was noteworthy that for the first time since 1958, the mortality rate for infants had increased from 6.8 per 1,000 live births to 7.0. Subsequent analysis concluded that the major reason was an increase in the birth of very small or low-weight infants. Low weight at birth has been, and remains, one of the top three causes of infant mortality, and despite considerable progress being made in the care of very small infants, this condition remains a major predictor of infant death. The CDC indicates that the majority of babies born weighing less than 750 grams (1 pound, 10.5 ounces) will die before the end of the first year of life.

Infant Mortality Rates over Time

Comprehensive data on infant mortality rates in the United States since 1915 are available. Cumulative analysis indicates that infant mortality has reduced by 93#x0025; since that time, while neonatal mortality has declined by 89#x0025;, and postneonatal mortality declined by 96#x0025;. The overall infant mortality rate in the United States for 2005 was 6.86. Based on data provided by the CDC, the infant mortality rates for the previous 10-year period are: 2004 (6.8); 2003 (6.9); 2002 (7.0); 2001 (6.9); 2000 (6.9); 1999 (7.1); 1998 (7.2); 1997 (7.2); 1996 (7.3); and 1995 (7.5).

However, there are significant differences observed between various racial, ethnic, and maternal age groups in the United States. Although these differences have always been significant, in more recent years the gap between black versus white infant mortality rates has widened. For the years 2002 to 2004, the data indicate the following infant mortality rates: black 13.5 per 1,000 live births; Native American 8.6 per 1,000 live births; white 5.7 per 1,000 live births; Hispanic 5.6 per 1,000 live births; and Asian American 4.8 per 1,000 live births. The racial/ethnic differences are still apparent when the age of the infant is considered. Neonatal mortality rates for black babies is 250#x0025; higher than for white or Hispanic babies, and postneonatal mortality rates for black babies are also 250#x0025; higher than white or Hispanic babies.

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