Summary
The high infant mortality rate in developing countries is primarily due to socioeconomic factors like poverty, low literacy rates among women, lack of health care facilities, poor sanitation, inadequate nutrition, high fertility rates.Poverty leads to lack of access to health care, inability to afford nutritious food and medications. Low literacy rates imply lack of knowledge about health, hygiene and importance of medical care. Lack of health facilities and trained medical staff imply lack of pre and postnatal care, delivery assistance and emergency obstetric care. Poor sanitation results in infection and disease. High fertility rates lead to low birth weight and premature births. Short birth intervals also contribute to infant mortality. Inadequate nutrition in women implies low birth weight babies who are more prone to infections and disease. Lack of breastfeeding implies lack of protection against disease. Infections like diarrhea, pneumonia, malaria and measles are major causes of infant mortality in developing countries due to lack of vaccination and treatment. Prematurity, low birth weight and asphyxia are also major causes due to lack of prenatal and obstetric care. Birth defects and genetic disorders also contribute to infant mortality. Strategies to reduce infant mortality include poverty alleviation, improving literacy and education among women, improving health care infrastructure, access to family planning and increasing child immunization. Promoting breast feeding, access to clean water and sanitation and nutrition can also help in reducing infant mortality. Improved data collection and registration of births and deaths can help design targeted intervention programs.
In the years 1966–1970 17 805 children were born in Malmo (population about 260000).141 were stillborns and 172 infants survived at most 6 days, which means a perinatal mortality of 1.74 %, and neonatal mortality within 6 days of 0.97 %.The infantmortality was 1.3%.These figures agree closely with Swedish vital statistics.5.4% were LBW‐infants with a neonatal mortality of 13.3%.231 infants died during the first year and necropsies were performed in all but 2. The main causes of death were malformations in 65 cases, haemorrhages in 31 and hyaline membranes in 61.In 38.children with a birth weight below 1700 g, post‐mortem examination revealed no morphologic changes except immaturity.Diseases of the mother and complications of pregnancy and delivery were more common among mothers of children with low birthweight. The causes of infant mortality in countries with a good standard of living are mainly severe malformations and complications of very low birthweight and short gestation period.
Published By:
I. Bjerre - Acta Paediatrica Scandinavica
1974
Cited By:
13
The study identified medical causes and factors contributing to infant mortality. Most deaths were neonatal, mainly asphyxia and prematurity.
Published By:
S. Rai - BMJ Open
2017
Cited By:
34
The summary:Assess 1,124 death under 5 years old in Ribeirão Preto region between 1968-1970.The neonatal period had the highest mortality, infant mortality was 52.4 per 1,000 live births,perinatal and infectious causes were most important, highlighting childhood care issues.
Published By:
J. R. Teruel - undefined
1973
Cited By:
0
Infant mortality rates declined in 2019 with highest rates among non-Hispanic black mothers and those under 20 or over 40; rates were lowest in California and New England.
Published By:
Danielle M. Ely - National vital statistics reports : from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, National Vital Statistics System
2022
Cited By:
32
Maternal/birth factors and infant mortality rates vary widely across US states; adjusting for this, mortality could drop over 4,000 annually.
Published By:
N. Bairoliya - PLoS Medicine
2018
Cited By:
31
Inequalities in sudden infant death syndrome declined in Scotland, 1985-2008. The association between deprivation and SIDS risk increased until the early 2000s then declined, likely due to slower uptake of safe infant sleep positioning recommendations in deprived areas.
Published By:
A. Wood - British medical journal
2012
Cited By:
52
Despite economic growth, Gujarat has high infant mortality rate due to high birth rates, poor healthcare and malnutrition.
Published By:
Gandotra Mm - Science
1923
Cited By:
29
Infant mortality from SIDS varied across Russian regions in 2019, ranking 7th nationally. Regional programs are needed to prevent SIDS based on local factors.
Published By:
A. Panchina - European Journal of Public Health
2021
Cited By:
0
There was a significant decline in both avoidable deaths and deaths from ill-defined causes.The decrease in ill-defined causes of death indicates expanded access to health services.
Published By:
D. Malta - Cadernos de Saúde Pública
2010
Cited By:
63