Health

Infant Deaths in San Diego Decline

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San Diego babies are getting to celebrate their first birthday at a higher rate than ever before.

The infant mortality rate—defined as the rate of deaths of infants younger than one year of age—dropped in San Diego to 3.9 deaths per every 1,000 live births in 2012, according to the County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA). The previous year’s rate was 4.3.

In 2012, there were 44,391 live births in the county.  During this same year, 175 babies died before turning one and more than two-thirds of them (68.6 percent) died before reaching one month of age.

In comparison, California had 4.5 infant deaths per every 1,000 live births in 2012. In the United States, six of every 1,000 babies born died during their first year in 2011, the most recent national statistic available.

“This is great news for San Diego County,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “This means that a lot more women are adopting healthy behaviors before and during pregnancy. This news is encouraging and reaffirms the importance of prenatal care.”

From 2010 through 2012, the four leading causes of infant death in the county were birth defects, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, premature birth and low birth weight, and pregnancy complications.

The latest data also show the infant mortality rate for African-Americans has reached single digits in four of the past five years, an accomplishment first recorded in 2006 in San Diego.

African-American women have always experienced the highest rate of infant mortality due to their increased risk of delivering low-birth weight babies. Contributing factors include genetics, environment, behavioral patterns, social circumstances, and access to health care.

To address this issue, the County created the Black Infant Health Program which works with African-American women to educate them on the importance of early and continuous prenatal care, well child check-ups, timely and complete immunizations and breastfeeding of infants. 

Infant mortality prevention efforts from the County and its many partners have improved access to prenatal and overall care, a goal of the County’s Live Well San Diego initiative. In 2012, about 85 percent of pregnant women in the region report receiving prenatal care during their first trimester.

In 2012, there were 9.5 African American infant deaths for every 1,000 live births in the county. In the Hispanic community, the rate was 4.2, the second highest; followed by 3.1 and 2.3 for whites and Asian Americans, respectively.

“It is great news infant death disparities are decreasing, but racial and ethnic gaps are still significant,” added Wooten.

So what can you do to make sure you have healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby?

Age, income levels, race and ethnicity play a role, but the most important factor is the mother’s health.

It is important for all women of reproductive age to adopt healthy behaviors, such as taking folic acid, maintaining a healthy diet and weight, being physically active and quitting tobacco use and excessive drinking.

“A healthy pregnancy begins before conception and continues with appropriate prenatal care,” Wooten said. “Visit your doctor or health care provider at the recommended time periods for your age so that you can address problems if they arise.”

José A. Álvarez is a communications specialist with the County of San Diego Communications Office. Contact