Comparing cause-specific infant mortality in a West German state and the United States of America

The infant mortality rate in North Rhine Westphalia (NRW), the most populous West German state, has continuously been around 10% higher than the German national average in the post-war period. Using white singleton data from the US 1980 National Infant Mortality Surveillance project (NIMS) and similar 1980/1981 data from NRW we compared infant mortality by birthweight and cause to describe the distribution of excess mortality in NRW. The US infant mortality rate was 8.7 deaths per 1,000 live births, compared with 13.1/1,000 for NRW (rate difference: 4.3/1,000). Of the 4.3/1,000 overall rate difference, 1.9/1,000 was attributable to neonatal deaths, 2.4/1,000 to postneonatal deaths. A major proportion, 2.0/1,000, of the overall rate difference of 4.3/1,000 was attributable to normal birthweight deaths postneonatally. 0.85/1,000 of this 2.0/1,000 rate difference was attributable to SIDS, 0.44/1,000 to external causes and 0.42/1,000 to infections.     

Sudden infant death syndrome and infant mortality in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal infants

The aim of this study was to investigate sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in the context of total infant mortality for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal infants. Deaths for infants born in Western Australia from 1980 to 1988 inclusive were ascertained from a total population data base. Infant mortality rates and rates by period and cause of death were calculated for both populations. Aboriginal infants had a mortality rate three times that for non-Aboriginal infants (23.6 cf. 7.9 per 1000 live births) and both populations showed a similar rate of decline in mortality over the study period. There were differences in the proportion of deaths occurring neonatally and postneonatally in the two populations. In terms of SIDS, 21% of the deaths in Aboriginal infants occurred neonatally compared with 7% for non-Aboriginal infants. The overall cause of infant death distribution differed significantly between the two populations ( P < 0.001). During the study period, Aboriginal infants showed a significant increase in deaths due to SIDS and a significant decrease in those due to birth defects and low birthweight. These results suggest it would be useful to review the pathology and diagnosis of sudden unexplained death in infancy.     

Trends of infant mortality in Hong Kong (1956–90) and evaluation of preventable infant deaths

Objective: This study describes the time trends for infant mortality in Hong Kong and aims to develop statistical models that can be used to predict changes of infant mortality in places already having low levels of infant mortality.
Methodology: Data on births and deaths of infants in Hong Kong during the years 1956–90 were analysed annually as well as by aggregating the data into seven consecutive quinquennia. To assess the contribution of preventable infant deaths, causes for infant deaths were classified into two broad categories: (i) congenital anomalies; and (ii) preventable diseases. A simple linear regression model was used to analyse the time trend of the mortality rate of the preventable diseases (PIMR) over the seven quinquennia.
Results: During the period 1956–90, the infant mortality rate fell from 60.9 in 1956–5.9 per 1000 in 1990 and the neonatal mortality rate fell from 24.2-3.8 per 1000. There was no clear time trend observed for infant mortality of congenital anomalies. However, the time trend for PIMR (log scale) was very close to a straight line and simple linear regression modelling showed a R² of 0.9970.
Conclusion: As the infant mortality rate (IMR) falls to below 30 per 1000, the further rate of decrease becomes less predictable from the regression model of the IMR. By removing the portion of deaths attributable to congenital anomalies, the further decrease in infant mortality became more predictable down to very low levels of IMR.     

Perinatal and infant mortality in urban slums under I.C.D.S. scheme

Perinatal and infant mortality during the year 1985 was analyzed through a prospective study conducted in 12 Anganwadis (total population of 13,054) located in slum areas of India's Jabalpur city. Overall, the infant mortality rate was 128.7/1000 live births and the perinatal mortality rate was 88.5/1000 live births. 58.5% of deaths occurred in the neonatal period. Causes of neonatal deaths included prematurity, respiratory distress syndrome, birth asphyxia, septicemia, and neonatal tetanus. Postneonatal deaths were largely attributable to dehydration from diarrhea, bronchopneumonia, malnutrition, and infectious diseases. All mortality rates were significantly higher in Muslims than among Hindus. Muslims accounted for 28% of the study population, but contributed 63% of stillbirths and 55% of total infant deaths. This phenomenon appears attributable to the large family size among Muslims coupled with inadequate maternal-child health care. The national neonatal and postneonatal mortality rates are 88/1000 and 52/1000, respectively. The fact that the neonatal mortality rate in the study area was slightly lower than the national average may reflect the impact of ICDS services.     

A base-line survey on birth defects in Gansu province,West China

We report a study to determine the incidence, types and rank order of congenital anomalies and related fetal and infant mortality in Gansu province in China to provide a base-line for an intervention project directed at reducing birth defects in Gansu. Forty-two communities in four counties of Gansu were randomly selected by cluster sampling, based on economic and geographical features of the province. All infants born between 1 January 2001 and 1 January 2002 (live and stillborn) were investigated in departments of gynaecology and obstetrics, in birth control centres and in facilities for women and children in county and community hospitals. The types of birth defect were classified by the diagnostic standardisation ICD-9. The overall incidence of birth defects in Gansu was 15.4/1000 births (102/6621): 6.7/1000 (44) neural tube defects, 4.7/1000 (31) low birthweight infants, 2/1000 (13) limb defects, 0.8/1000 (five) cleft lip and palate and 0.5/1000 (three) Down's syndrome. The infant mortality rate was 14.8/1000 (98), to which birth defects contributed 7.3/1000 (48). We conclude that the incidence of birth defects in Gansu is one of the highest in China, that birth defects are the leading cause of infant mortality and that neural tube defects cause most deaths.     

Mortality from birth to adult life: a longitudinal study of twins

We have examined mortality from birth through adult life in a cohort of 2562 twins born in Birmingham, UK, between 1950 and 1954. Their birthweights and obstetric details had been recorded as part of a longitudinal study of births in Birmingham. There were a total of 151 perinatal deaths (perinatal mortality rate = 116 per 1000 births) and 227 infant deaths (infant mortality rate = 94 per 1000 live births). 70 deaths occurred after the age of one year. In comparison with national mortality rates in the UK, overall mortality in the twins was high (standard mortality rate, SMR = 259, 95% CI 221-300). Mortality was highest in the first year of life and, although it then declined progressively, it remained significantly higher that that of the general population until age 5 years. The excess mortality was largely due to conditions originating in the perinatal period but there were excess rates of congenital abnormalities, diseases of the respiratory system, digestive system and nervous and sensory organs. A Cox proportional Hazards analysis showed that the risk of death was related to low birthweight, prematurity and male sex. Death of the co-twin was highly predictive of mortality throughout the period of follow up. These studies not only underline the excess mortality associated with twin birth but show for the first time that this excess mortality extends into childhood.     

Perinatal mortality trends in a referral hospital

A comparative study of perinatal mortality patterns over a period was conducted at a teaching hospital of South India. Among the 6,048 babies born from January 1984 to December 1985 (Group A), there were 265 (43.8/1000) still births and 127 (22.0/1000) early neonatal deaths. Three hundred and thirty seven (41/1000) babies were still born and 235 (29.8/1000) early neonatal deaths out of 8,215 deliveries during 1992–93 (Group B). The perinatal mortality rate (PMR) in Group A and B were 57.9/1000 and 57.7/1000 respectively. Unbooked cases accounted for the majority (> 75%) of perinatal deaths during both the periods. The overall mortality rates in unbooked cases were three to four times higher than booked cases. Among the various causes of still births, antepartum haemorrhage and uterine rupture had increased. Septicaemia was the major cause of early neonatal deaths in Group A, but in Group B birth asphyxia and prematurity were the leading causes. Effective interventions like creating awareness among the target population to utilise maternal and child health services and early referral of high risk cases with improved intranatal and perinatal care can decrease the perinatal mortality.     

Determining causes of mortality in children enrolled in a vaccine field trial in a rural area in the Western Cape Province of South Africa

AIM: A mortality surveillance system was developed to identify and document causes of death among children enrolled in a tuberculosis vaccine field trial in South Africa. The aims of this study were to describe causes of mortality in children enrolled in a phase IV trial comparing intradermal with percutaneous administration of Bacille Calmette Guerin, and to compare causes of mortality recorded on death certificates with those obtained by clinical record review combined with verbal autopsies (CR/VA). METHODS: For children who died, certified causes of death were compared with those determined by CR/VA. RESULTS: Among 11677 children enrolled, 177 deaths were notified over 4 years. The incidence rate of death was 6.8/1000 person-years. Follow-up time ranged from 0.03 to 35.3 months (median 4 months; interquartile range 1.4-8.5). The infant mortality rate was 12.5/1000 live births and the neonatal mortality was 3/1000 live births. Pneumonia, gastroenteritis and septicaemia were among top causes of mortality by both methods. 'Sudden unexplained' and 'ill-defined' causes were among top causes of mortality based on CR/VA, while tuberculosis and 'natural causes' were among top causes based on death certificates. Important underlying causes of mortality by CR/VA include HIV/AIDS, prematurity/low birth weight and malnutrition. In 47% of deaths there was agreement on immediate causes of death. This increased to 54% when 'natural causes' and 'sudden unexplained deaths' were included. CONCLUSION: In this cohort mortality was largely due to infectious diseases. While CR/VA provided additional information on most deaths, this was not always sufficient to assign specific causes of death.     

Neonatologische Versorgung – Fallzahlregelung

Germany’s infant mortality rate is high compared with Scandinavian countries, for instance, despite relatively high expenditure on health care. Since the infant mortality rate is influenced mainly by the neonatal mortality rate, which in turn is strongly determined by premature infant mortality, the national discussion has been focusing on the improvement of very low birthweight (VLBW) infant care in Germany. In 2005, the Joint Federal Committee (Gemeinsamer Bundesausschuss), the legislative organ of self-governance in the German statutory health care system, after drawing up a list of structural requirements, agreed upon a minimum number of 14 VLBW babies below 1250 g birthweight or between 1250 and 1500 g birthweight, as well as publishing outcome quality. The pros and cons of such regulations to reduce infant mortality and improve the care of VLBW are discussed.     

Race- and rank-specific infant mortality in a US military population.

Mortality among black infants in the United States is approximately twice that among white infants. The disparity has been attributed in large part to the higher incidence of poverty and limited access to health care among black Americans. We investigated race- and rank-specific infant mortality rates among dependents of military officers and soldiers at Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Wash, between 1985 and 1990. The overall infant mortality rate was 9.3 deaths per 1000 live births compared with 10.1 deaths per 1000 live births in the United States in 1987. Mortality rates for infants born to families of junior enlisted soldiers were similar to those for infants born to families of noncommissioned and commissioned officers. The mortality rate among black infants was 11.1 deaths per 1000 live births compared with 17.9 deaths per 1000 live births among all black Americans in 1987. These lower rates of mortality among black infants may be due to guaranteed access to health care and higher levels of family education and income in the multiracial subpopulation served by our medical center compared with the nation as a whole.     

Infant mortality in an urban slum

Objective Infant and child mortality are important indicators of the level of development of a society, but are usually collected by governmental agencies on a region wide scale, with little local stratification. In order to formulate appropriate local policies for intervention, it is important to know the patterns of morbidity and mortality in children in the local setting. Methods This retrospective study collected and analyzed data on infant mortality for the period 1995 to 2003 in an urban slum area in Vellore, southern India from government health records maintained at the urban health clinic. Results The infant mortality rate over this period was 37.9 per 1000 live births. Over half (54.3%) of the deaths occurred in the neonatal period. Neonatal deaths were mainly due to perinatal asphyxia (31.9%), pre-maturity (16.8%) and aspiration pneumonia or acute respiratory distress (16.8%), while infant deaths occurring after the first mth of life were mainly due to diarrheal disease (43%) and respiratory infections (21%). Conclusion These results emphasize the need to improved antenatal and perinatal care to improve survival in the neonatal period. The strikingly high death rate due to diarrheal illness highlights the requirements for better sanitation and water quality.     

Infectious diseases: preventable causes of infant mortality

After almost a century of improvement, the rate of decrease in US infant mortality rates began to level off during the period of 1982 to 1984. Rates actually increased in some states. Because much of the decline in infant mortality in this century can be attributed to advances in infectious disease treatment and prevention programs, we evaluated the current impact of infectious diseases on infant mortality. The National Center for Health Statistics mortality data for 1980 contains information on as many as 20 causes of death for a given individual. Using these data, we found that infectious diseases contributed to 12.5% of all infant deaths and to almost 400,000 years of potential life lost because of infant deaths. Infectious diseases contributed to 9% of deaths of low birth weight infants and to more than 18% of all deaths in the postneonatal period. Compared with white infants, a higher proportion of nonwhite infants died of causes related to infectious diseases. For black infants, the mortality rate related to infectious diseases was twice that for white infants. These data indicate that infectious diseases still are a major contributor to infant mortality, one of the 15 areas targeted for prevention by the federal government, and the data suggest that programs for reducing infant mortality should place increased emphasis on preventing infectious diseases.     

Early child health in Lahore, Pakistan: IX. Perinatal events

In Pakistan there are a number of acute problems related to maternal and infant health in the perinatal period. There is also lack of reliable data needed for the formulation of action strategies. To provide a database 1490 women have been followed from the 5th month of pregnancy in four different areas at various levels of urbanization and socio-economic development. After adjusting for gestational age, the proportion of newborns with weight for length < -2SDS in relation to the Swedish National Standard was 12–31% for boys and 12–25% for girls, the figure being highest in the most deprived area. Preterm birth was infrequent compared with IUGR. The overall prevalence rate of birth defects was 21% out of which 8% were severe defects. The overall perinatal mortality rate was 56/1000 births, with rates of 60, 75, 36 and 33/1000 births for the village, periurban slum, urban slum and the upper middle class. Two thirds of the deaths were related to either a continuation of intrauterine disturbances or severe congenital defects incompatible with life. One third of the deaths were due to infection; mostly diarrhoea, clinical sepsis and ARI. Neonatal mortality was significantly related to birth length (<-2SDS, odds ratio 5.5) and length of gestation (<37 weeks, odds ratio 5.6) and was to a lesser extent related to weight (<-2SDS, odds ratio 2.0) and weight for length (<-2SDS, odds ratio 1.3). Forty percent of the mothers had weight for height below -2SDS, 23–35% had height <-2SDS. Forty percent of mothers from a subset within the cohort had a hemoglobin < 10 gm/dl and 20% showed signs of pre-eclampsia. This presentation raises the issue of expanding the current Child Survival Programs into the perinatal period as well.     

Birthweight Specific Perinatal Mortality in Greece

ABSTRACT. Data from the Greek Perinatal Study in April 1983 revealed an excessively high perinatal mortality rate of 21.6 per 1000 total births among singletons despite a low birthweight rate of only 4.5%. Comparison of perinatal mortality rates with Danish mortality rates in 1983, revealed the Greek rates to be three times higher than those in Denmark. When divided by time of death, the Greek stillbirth rates were two times higher and the early neonatal mortality rates were four times higher than the corresponding Danish rates. Subdivision of the Greek perinatal deaths using the Wigglesworth classification showed that the biggest group (40%) consisted of deaths associated with intrapartum asphyxia. The incidence of such deaths was 10 times higher than that found in Denmark. We conclude that in reducing the excessively high perinatal mortality rate in Greece special attention should be made to improve intrapartum and resuscitation techniques.     

Sudden infant death syndrome and unascertainable deaths: trends and disparities among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal infants born in Western Australia from 1980 to 2001 inclusive

AIM: To analyse patterns and trends in mortality from unknown causes (sudden infant death syndrome and unascertainable deaths) for all Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal infants born in Western Australia, 1980-2001. METHODS: Using total population linked data, we reviewed all post-mortem reports, including death scene investigations and final causes of death as ascertained by the coroner. Neonatal, post-neonatal and infant mortality rates attributed to unknown causes were calculated and the latter were analysed according to maternal age, geographical location, gestational age, sex and birthweight. Relative risks (95% confidence interval) for Aboriginal infants (compared with non-Aboriginal) were calculated. RESULTS: The proportion of deaths considered to be of unascertainable cause has significantly increased in recent years. In contrast to the non-Aboriginal population, there has been no significant decrease in deaths in the Aboriginal population and the overall relative risk for Aboriginal infants for the most recent years studied was 7.9 (95% confidence interval 5.1-12.2). The relative risk was significantly increased for most categories analysed. CONCLUSION: Reviewing post-mortem reports enabled identification of changes in the classification of deaths due to unknown causes. This provided a more accurate picture of the patterns and long-term trends of such deaths so that programmes can be developed to specifically target those groups most at risk. Adequately funded and evaluated education campaigns aimed at reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome among Aboriginal infants are required, as well as sustaining the current efforts that have been so successful for non-Aboriginal infants.     

Infant Mortality in Belfast

Data on all livebirths and infant deaths occurring to residents in Belfast 1963-5 and in Birmingham 1964 were analysed in order to examine possible reasons why the infant mortality rate in Belfast (29·4 per 1000 livebirths) was higher than in Birmingham (21·4).The hypothesis that the excess infant mortality in Belfast was mainly due to a higher proportion of infants born to high parity Belfast mothers was tested and found to be untenable. Though significant differences between the distributions of livebirths by parity in the two cities were demonstrated, they could have accounted for only about 12% of the excess. Differences between the two livebirth distributions by birthweight were more important and accounted for 40% of the excess infant mortality in Belfast. A high mortality rate attributed to postnatal asphyxia and atelectasis (I.C.D. No. 762) was noted in this city.     

Low birth weight infants--study of mortality

Care of the low birthweight infant (LBW) in any neonatal unit calls for a large proportion of expenditure in terms of manpower and finances. Therefore, an analysis of 452 LBW infants at the IPGMER and SSKM Hospitals was made. The study reveals the highest mortality rates of 69.6% in the very LBW (1500 g) category compared to an overall mortality rate in LBW of 24.1%. The 1st 24 hour deaths accounted for 45 of the 109 (41.2%) deaths. In salvaging these 2 major groups of high mortality rates, trained personnel have only a minor influence. It is desirable to transfer these high risk infants to specialized neonatal centers which are equipped with adequate diagnostic and resuscitative facilities.     

Infectious disease-related deaths of low birth weight infants, United States, 1968 to 1982

Infant mortality rates in the United States are higher than in any other developed country. Low birth weight (LBW) is the primary determinant of infant mortality. Despite city, state, and federal programs to prevent LBW, decreases in infant mortality in the 1980s appear to be largely secondary to improved survival of LBW infants rather than to a decline in the rate of LBW births. Because prevention of mortality due to infectious disease is feasible, it was of interest to examine the role of infectious diseases in LBW infant mortality. US vital statistics mortality data for 1968 through 1982 were analyzed in terms of LBW infant mortality associated with infectious and noninfectious diseases. These analyses indicated that the rates of infectious disease-associated early neonatal and postneonatal LBW mortality increased during this time; late neonatal rates did not decline appreciably. Infectious diseases were associated with 4% of all LBW infant deaths in 1968; this had increased to 10% by 1982. Although LBW infant mortality rates associated with noninfectious diseases did not differ for white and black populations, infectious disease-associated mortality rates were consistently higher for blacks than whites in both metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. Chorioamnionitis was involved in 28% of infectious disease-associated early neonatal LBW deaths. Sepsis was an increasingly listed cause of death in all infant age periods, whereas respiratory tract infections were decreasingly listed. Necrotizing enterocolitis increased as a cause of late neonatal mortality. These data suggest that infectious diseases are an increasing cause of LBW infant mortality and these deaths occur more frequently in the black population targeted by prevention programs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Outcome of neonatal necrotising enterocolitis: results of the BAPM/CDSC surveillance study, 1981-84.

Neonatologists in 100 special care baby units in the United Kingdom and Ireland collaborated in a four year surveillance study of neonatal necrotising enterocolitis. The average overall annual reporting rate of necrotising enterocolitis for infants in England and Wales was 0.3/1000 live births, but ranged from 9.5/1000 live births in infants weighing less than 1000 g at birth to 0.2/1000 live births in infants weighing 2500 g or more. There were more deaths among girls, infants who weighed less than 1500 g at birth, those whose bleeding was abnormal or who had low peripheral platelet counts, infants with Gram negative bacteraemia, and very low birthweight infants who developed it during the first few days of life. In both boys and girls, and in all birthweight groups, operation was associated with increased mortality.     

Stillbirths, neonatal and post-neonatal mortality by race, birthweight and gestational age

The birthweight and gestational age specific mortality of singleton Aboriginal and White infants born in Western Australia during the period 1980–86 is described. The analyses are based on the approximately 8000 Aboriginal and 143000 White births notified through the Western Australia Midwives' system, which were linked to perinatal and infant death records. Overall, stillbirth, neonatal and post-neonatal mortality risks were significantly higher (P<0.01) for Aboriginals than Whites. However, for specific birthweights and gestational ages, particularly for infants of lower birthweight and shorter gestations, Aboriginals had lower mortality risks than Whites. The ratio of Aboriginal to White mortality risks tended to increase with advancing age of death, suggesting that longer exposure to the well-documented poorer social and environmental conditions of Aboriginal infants increased the mortality risk.