[Mortality among Moslem, Christian and Druze infants]

Infant mortality in 3 heterogeneous non-Jewish religious groups in Israel was examined (1977-80). Risk factors contributing to infant mortality were identified and their effects assessed by logistic regression analysis. Mortality among Moslems and Druze was 26.0/1000, compared to 17.2/1000 among Christians and 12.7/1000 among Jews. These differences between the populations were mostly evident after the first month of life. Unexpected excess mortality rates were observed among female infants, compared to males, in the postneonatal period in all 3 groups. This excess was present mainly in Christian and Druze infants born to fathers with few years of education. The trend persisted after accounting for birth weight, maternal age, birth order and place of birth. The female mortality in the postneonatal period was twice that of males in Christians and 1.5 times higher than that of males in Druze. Congenital malformations and immaturity-related conditions were the main causes of neonatal deaths, while infections were the major cause of postneonatal deaths. Among the Druze the postneonatal death rate due to infections reached 8/1000. In the non-Jewish groups 42% of postneonatal deaths occurred out of hospital, compared to 15% among Jews.