Sure, we could be doing better, but still: the undeniable fact is that the infant mortality rate in America fell by 12 percent between 2005 and 2011, after years of stagnation at an embarrassingly higher rate. This gratifying information was released this week by the CDC .
The most impressive declines were noted in those regions specifically the southeastern area with the highest levels of neonatal and infant loss. The actual rate still puts us in the lower reaches of wealthy countries, but when noting this, it also must be noted that our population is much more diverse, multi-ethnic and immigrant-heavy when compared to the comparator nations.
In 2000 the number of infants who died in their first year was 6.9 per 1,000 births; this fell to just over 6.0 in 2011. The most striking ethnic-racial decline occurred among black mothers, whose infants died at a 16 percent lower rate recently. A co-author of the study, Dr. Marian F. MacDorman, pointed out that We are seeing a slight narrowing in the [racial] gap, and that s very encouraging, according to a quote in the New York Times article on this topic.
The major factor accounting for the decline seems to be a parallel decline in premature births, a well-documented risk factor for infant death. Education of both parents-to-be and their doctors as to the benefits of carrying to term has had an effect, since until the risks were established of even 2 or 3 weeks prematurity, it was commonplace for women near term to petition their doctors for earlier induction, and doctors were often complicit as well based on convenience. Also, in recent years hospitals have been erecting obstacles to elective early delivery, with an aim of reducing the infant mortality toll.
ACSH s Dr. Gilbert Ross noted, Also, better communication about avoiding the known risks for SIDS sudden infant death syndrome likely accounted for the amazing 20 percent decline in that devastating event. All in all, these data should be inspiring us towards further improvement, rather than complacency.
