Success in Health
Neonatal Mortality1 in Allen County, Indiana
Historically, the majority of infant deaths have been due to 1) congenital anomalies, and 2) disorders related to short gestation period and low birth weight2. The majority of these deaths occur within the first 28 days following birth, the neonatal period. Accidents, SIDS, and maternal pregnancy complications account for many of the post neonatal deaths.
Why is this important? Approximately two-thirds of infant deaths occur in the first month--most related to low birth weight and premature birth. There are some studies which suggest that economic inequality is associated with higher neonatal mortality3. Not directly with parental income, but correlations have been found between economic segregation-geographic distribution of physicians, medical facilities, and accessibility to those, and also to state health care spending.
Statistically, a breakdown by race cannot be done for Allen County. However, the State of Indiana for 2004 (i.e. larger number of births will yield more statistically valid results) neonatality rate can be broken down by race and Hispanic origin.
The Indiana State rate is shown for race breakdown since the Allen County rate is not statistically significant due to low numbers.
| Neonatal Mortality Rate, State of Indiana | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 |
| Total | 5.2 |
5.2 |
4.8 |
5.2 |
4.8 |
5.4 |
5.5 |
| White | 4.5 |
4.7 |
4.4 |
4.4 |
4.1 |
4.7 |
4.5 |
| Black | 10.7 |
9.3 |
8.3 |
9.8 |
10.6 |
11.0 |
12.5 |
| Hispanic* | 5.5 |
4.2 |
5.5 |
6.2 |
3.3 |
6.9 |
6.1 |
| * Hispanic is an ethnicity,not a race. The numbers given for Hispanic are represented in the above race totals. |
| Neonatal Mortality Rate, Allen County | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 |
| Total | 4.7 |
3.8 |
4.1 |
4.1 |
5.4 |
5.8 |
5.3 |
Translating to Numbers |
31 |
28 |
Definitions, Sources and Caveats:
1. Neonatal Mortality Rate: ratio of the number of deaths among children from birth up to but no including 28 days of age divided by the number of live births during the same period.
2. Low Birth Weight: birth weight less than 2,5000 grams (5 pounds, 8 ounces).
3The Harris School
Assessment (University of Chicago) on economic inequality and infant mortality.
Sources: Indiana
State Department of Health