Published by: Katie Reid on 9/12/2011 12:29:12 PM
Have you ever looked back at your family tree and wondered why your ancestors had so many more children then than they do now? Or noticed that an alarming number of those children born never lived out their infancy? The very sad reality is that up until the early 20th century, infant mortality (defined by theMarch of Dimes as death occurring in the first year of life) plagued families in the United States and Europe well into the 19th century, when nearly one quarter of all white babies born died within their first year of life. This number was even higher for babies born to black parents with more than one third dying before their first birthday. Major contributors to such high infant mortality rates include the lack of prenatal care, less concern for pediatric health, high birth defects and prematurity rates, poverty, lack of nutrition, maternal complications during pregnancy, lack of contraceptives, and poor hygiene. As a result, the birth rate during this time was much higher in order to counteract the alarmingly high infant mortality rate. Thanks to better awareness, improved health care, contraceptives, and improved environmental and social conditions, today the infant mortality rate has dramatically declined to less than 7 deaths per 1,000 live births in the United States. Disparities continue to exist for infant mortality for babies born to black parents (13.5 deaths per 1,000 live births) and Native Americans (8.5 deaths per 1,000 births).
While the infant mortality rate in the United States is now very low, to the parents of the more than 28,500 babies who suffer infant mortality, this number is unacceptable. If you or someone you know is having a baby, remember that a “healthy baby begins with you” and your health care provider. For more information about Infant Mortality, visit the March of Dimes and the US Office of Minority Health.