The Southeast Minnesota Fetal and Infant Mortality Reduction Project

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Perinatal Health

Background:

• Fetal and infant mortality represent critical public health concerns.
• Understanding contributing factors is essential for developing targeted interventions.
• Previous research indicates a need for comprehensive reviews of mortality data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify factors associated with fetal and infant deaths in southeast Minnesota.
• To uncover gaps in health and human services for women, infants, and families.
• To prioritize interventions for potentially preventable deaths.

Main Methods:

• Utilized linked birth and death certificates for data collection.
• Conducted medical record reviews and maternal interviews.
• Employed multidisciplinary county and regional review teams.

Main Results:

• Identified multiple factors potentially contributing to fetal and infant deaths.
• Revealed significant gaps in existing services for maternal and child populations.
• Prioritized identified factors and service gaps for intervention.

Conclusions:

• Multidisciplinary review of linked birth and death data is effective in identifying mortality factors.
• Addressing identified service gaps can potentially reduce fetal and infant mortality rates.
• Targeted interventions are needed to improve perinatal health outcomes.