Calif. Infant Mortality Rate Reaches Record Low, Report Finds
California's infant mortality rate reached a record low of 4.5 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2012, according to a report from the state Department of Public Health, HealthyCal reports.
Details of the Report
According to HealthyCal, infant mortality is defined as deaths among infants younger than one year (Kritz, HealthyCal, 1/14).
The report found there were 503,788 live births in California in 2012 and 2,247 infants died. The rate is a decrease from 4.8 infant deaths per 1,000 live births the previous year (Larson, Lake County News, 1/14).
According to the report, the leading causes of infant death in 2012 include:
- Congenital malformations;
- Short gestation periods, defined as a pregnancy lasting less than 40 weeks; and
- Low birthweight (HealthyCal, 1/14).
The report found racial and ethnic disparities in infant mortality rates, but the rates declined among all groups.
For example the infant mortality rate among:
- Blacks decreased from 10.5 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2011 to 9.8 in 2012;
- Whites decreased from 4.1 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2011 to 3.8 in 2012; and
- Hispanics decreased from 4.9 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2011 to 4.7 in 2012 (Lake County News, 1/14).
Reaction
In response to the report, Ron Chapman, state health officer and director of DPH, said, "Optimal infant health outcomes are influenced by a woman's health even before she becomes pregnant, including avoidance of tobacco, alcohol and drugs, maintaining a healthy weight and taking folic acid supplements."
Chapman said infant health outcomes could be improved by:
- Earlier prenatal care;
- Genetic testing to identify health risks at birth;
- Breastfeeding;
- Childhood immunizations; and
- Continuing proper nutrition through an infant's developing years (HealthyCal, 1/14).