According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the number of newborn deaths in the United States increased last year for the first time in 20 years. The startling increase in newborn death rates in the United States indicates a more significant issue with mother and baby care. When compared to other rich countries, the United States has much higher rates of neonatal and maternal mortality.
When compared to white and Hispanic moms, black and Native American mothers had a twofold increase in the risk of infant death. Despite the fact that this is an exceptionally uncommon and tragic reversal after a century of public health progress, research has not identified a precise explanation for the surge in neonatal mortality.
However, this corresponds with a period in which many pregnant women fell ill, and maternal mortality increased by 40% as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Danielle M. Ely, a health statistician and research author, remarked that this spike represents a notable deviation from the prior two decades’ pattern of gradually falling infant mortality rates. There are several probable causes for this growth. Â
Babies born by moms aged 25-29 had a higher risk of infant death. The rate increased from 5.15 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2021 to 5.37 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2022, with the causes uncertain. There was minimal variance in the rates for the other age categories. Â
Because of the pandemic’s impact on maternal health, the incidence of pregnancy complications, and other contributing factors, identifying a single explanation for the rise in infant mortality is difficult. Dr. Elizabeth Cherot, President and CEO of March of Dimes, has ordered a more in-depth review of the data in order to discover the underlying reasons for these troubling trends and adopt initiatives to reverse them. Â
Losing a child is heartbreaking for every family, and Erika Nolting Young’s infant died under unclear circumstances is a great example. The Youngs are not alone in their anguish; infant mortality rates are rising, forcing more families to experience what the Youngs did. In 2022, there were 20,538 newborn deaths, a 3% rise over the previous year.
Furthermore, infant mortality climbed by 3% to 5.6 deaths per 1,000 live births. The neonatal and post-neonatal death rates increased, with the rates being most significant for newborns delivered preterm or highly early. Male infant death climbed faster than female infant mortality. The most excellent infant death rate, affecting black newborns disproportionately, increased to 10.86 per 1,000 live births.
Both white and non-white (Native American/Alaska Native) infant death rates increased considerably. In 2022, the top causes of neonatal mortality were bacterial sepsis and maternal health issues, both of which were more widespread than in previous years. Only a few states witnessed statistically significant changes in infant death rates, with Nevada being the only one to see a decrease, while Georgia, Iowa, Missouri, and Texas all had increases. Â
It is unknown if Texas’s abortion restriction beyond the sixth week of pregnancy contributed to the state’s high infant death rate in 2022. In view of the Supreme Court’s recent revocation of Roe v. Wade in 2022 and following limits imposed by other states, a thorough analysis of the numerous causes of the alarming increase in infant mortality in the United States is critical.Â
News ReferenceÂ
Rabin, R. C. (2023). Infant Deaths Have Risen for the First Time in 20 Years. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/01/health/infant-mortality-rate-rise.htmlÂ
