State of South Dakota's child: 2001

In the year 2000, there was a reversal of the previous year's increase in births in South Dakota, with the total number of births decreasing by 170. There also was an increase in the percentage of low birth weight newborns (< 2500 grams), but a slight decrease in the percent of babies born weighing less than 1500 grams. Most dramatic, was the drop noted in the year 2000 in the state's infant mortality, achieving its lowest ever rate of 5.5 per thousand live births. This drop was observed in both the neonatal (< 29 days of age) and post neonatal (28-364 days of age) rates of death, and for both the White and American Indian populations. An analysis of the causes of infant death showed that during the year 2000 there was an approximate 50% decrease in previous years' rate of death attributable to congenital anomalies and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. As its special topic, this year's report discusses the epidemic of overweight and obesity that affects approximately one-third of school age youth in South Dakota and is associated with risks for their current and future health.