Infant mortality increased for the first time in 20 years

Infant mortality has increased in the United States after 20 years. This was reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). From 2021 to 2022, the government agency found a 3% increase, with four states seeing significant growth: Georgia, Iowa, Missouri and Texas.

The aforementioned 3% increase implies 5.60 infant deaths per 1,000 live births. Additionally, the newborn mortality rate increased by 4 percent.

“The U.S. infant mortality rate increased 3% from 2021 to 2022, the first year-over-year increase in the rate since 2001 to 2002. From 2002 to 2021, the infant mortality rate decreased by 22%,” the CDC reported in a report.

In terms of increases by state, Georgia, Iowa, Missouri and Texas led, while Nevada was the only state to show a significant drop. Changes in the remaining states and the District of Columbia were not significant.

Regarding the main causes of infant mortality observed by the CDC, there were two that registered significant increases: maternal complications of pregnancy and bacterial sepsis in newborns. However, the leading cause in 2022 was congenital malformation.

“The reported increase in infant mortality rates is concerning and disappointing,” said Dr. Sandy L. Chung, president of the AAP.

“We live in a country with abundant resources. However, the infant mortality rate in the United States is shockingly high. There are many reasons for that. We know that poor families face many challenges, including access to nutritious food and affordable healthcare. Racial and ethnic disparities related to accessible health care - including prenatal health services - are just one of many possible reasons for lower birth weight of babies and, sometimes, infant mortality,” she added.

In terms of mortality rates by demographics, the most striking increase was seen in babies born to non-Hispanic, American Indian, and Alaska Native women (from 7.46 per 1,000 live births to 9.06) and to non-Hispanic white women (from 4.36 to 4.52).

In turn, mortality rates increased slightly for babies born to non-Hispanic black women (10.55 to 10.86), Hispanic women (4.79 to 4.88), and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanders(7.76 to 8.5). The only race to see a decrease was non-Hispanic Asian women (3.69 to 3.5).