Minority Health

Infant Mortality

The first year of life of a child is one of many important stages in growth and development. This is also an important time for infant health. Major factors in infant health are the health of the mother and the accessibility of quality primary health care. Mothers with early and continuous prenatal care are less likely to have low birth weight babies (less than 5.5 lbs.). Low birth weight babies are more likely to have complications that may lead to death.

Infant death is defined as a death that occurs during the first year of life. During the year 2000, nearly 70% percent of South Carolina infant deaths occurred within the first twenty-eight days of life. Between 1989 and 2000, the number of infants dying in South Carolina has declined from nearly 13 deaths to about 9 deaths for every 1,000 live births. Although infant death rates are improving in the state, minority infants, in particular black infants, continue to be at an increased risk for illness and death during their first year of life.

Quick Facts

  • The four major causes of all infant deaths are: birth defects, disorders relating to short gestation and low birth weight, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and respiratory distress syndrome.
  • In 1999, South Carolina ranked seventh (7th) in the nation for infant deaths (rankings based on 50 states and the District of Columbia).
  • Since 1990, South Carolina minority infants have been nearly twice as likely as white infants to be born with a low birth weight (less than 5.5 lbs.)."
  • African American infants in the state are almost 2.6 times more likely to die during their first year of life than are white infants.

To learn more about health disparities for infant death, please see the following resources:

SC Department of Health and Environmental Control

Other Resources