For the first time in 20 years, the U.S. has seen a rise in infant deaths. New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that in 2022, more than 20,500 babies died before their first birthday, making the rate 5.6 deaths per 1,000 live births. This is a 3% increase from the previous year.
Amanda Jean Stevenson, a demographer from the University of Colorado Boulder, says that even if the rates had stayed the same, it would still be a big issue. The increase is worrying because U.S. infant mortality rates are much higher compared to many other developed countries.
The increase in infant mortality is attributed to a few key factors. Congenital malformations continued to be the leading cause, accounting for nearly 20% of infant deaths.
Other major causes include disorders related to short gestation and low birth weight, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), unintentional injuries, and maternal complications. Notably, the rate of deaths due to maternal complications rose by 9% from 2021 to 2022. Despite the overall increase, other causes of infant death did not see significant changes.
Maternal health is closely linked to infant health, and the U.S. has faced longstanding issues with high rates of death among pregnant women and new mothers. The rise in infant mortality might also be partly attributed to the effects of COVID-19.
Pregnant women who contracted the virus faced severe health challenges, including a higher likelihood of requiring intensive care, mechanical ventilation, and death. COVID-19 infections were associated with increased risks of preeclampsia, blood clots, and complications that could lead to preterm birth and low birth weight in infants.
Racial disparities in infant mortality rates are stark. In 2022, Black infants had the highest mortality rate, with nearly 11 deaths per 1,000 live births. American Indian and Alaska Native infants also experienced a significant rise in mortality, reaching over 9 deaths per 1,000 live births.
While White infants also saw an increase in mortality rates, they remained lower compared to other racial and ethnic groups. This disparity highlights ongoing inequalities in healthcare access and outcomes.
Further complicating the issue, the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to revoke federal abortion rights in June 2022 may have impacted infant mortality rates.
Research has linked increased infant deaths to abortion restrictions, with Texas experiencing a notable spike in mortality rates following its stringent abortion law passed in September 2021.
Among the 14 states that have implemented near-total abortion bans since the ruling, most saw higher-than-average infant mortality rates in 2022, suggesting a potential connection between restrictive abortion laws and rising infant deaths.
