The state of South Dakota's child: 1989

The 1987 infant mortality in South Dakota returned to a rate below that of the nation as had been the trend for the eight years prior to 1986. Comparisons of South Dakota and the United States data show that for both whites and non whites the mean five year neonatal mortality rates were below those of the nation. Alternately, the South Dakota white post neonatal mortality rate is slightly higher than that of the nation and the non white post neonatal mortality rate is more than three times higher than that of the United States. Comparisons of the causes of post neonatal deaths show that the relative risk of death from potentially preventable causes is four times higher among South Dakota non whites as whites. The paper concludes with a discussion of the incidence of child abuse and neglect and the important role health care providers may play in preventing and treating this cause of significant mortality and morbidity of children.