The state of South Dakota's child: 2005

In 2004, the total number of births increased again in South Dakota with the percent of minority births 21.3%) surpassing the national rate (21.1%). The national trend of increasing rates of low birth weight is also noted in South Dakota. Though the state's rates of low birth weight (<2500 grams) and very low birth weight (<1500 grams) are lower than national rates, they have reached their highest level since an unusual peak in 1974. In 2004, 1.23% of all newborns weighed less than 1500 grams and nearly 7% had a birth weight of less than 2500 grams. In 2004, the state's infant mortality rate increased by 24% over the previous year to 8.2 per 1000 live births, exceeding the national rate of 7.0. The South Dakota increase is entirely accounted for by increases in the white neonatal (less than 28 day) mortality rate. Analyses of these observations suggest that an increase in deaths due to congenital anomalies and perinatal causes may be associated with white neonatal loss. Deaths due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome have decreased and are now more closely approaching national rates.