Infant mortality by Hispanic origin of mother: 20 States, 1985-87 birth cohorts

This report examines the mortality experience of infants born between 1985 and 1987 to mothers of Hispanic origin who resided in a study area of 20 States and the District of Columbia and compares it with that of non-Hispanic white infants. Maternal characteristics are also compared. For all Hispanic-origin mothers combined, the infant mortality rate (8.5) was very close to the non-Hispanic white rate (8.3). Among the Hispanic-origin subgroups, the rate for Puerto Rican mothers was higher (10.9) and the rate for Central and South American mothers lower (7.8) than the non-Hispanic white rate. The infant mortality rates of 8.2 for Mexicans and 7.6 for Cubans were not significantly different from the non-Hispanic white rate. The infant mortality experience of the Hispanic-origin population has been termed an ''epidemiological paradox,'' because of their generally favorable birth outcomes despite a higher prevalence of socioeconomic and demographic risk factors. In general, a higher proportion of Hispanic than non-Hispanic white infants were born to mothers traditionally considered to be at elevated risk for infant mortality-teenagers, unmarried mothers, those who have not completed high school, and those beginning prenatal care after the first trimester or not at all. In general, infant mortality rates were higher for these high-risk groups among Hispanic as well as non-Hispanic white mothers. However, the difference in infant mortality rates between high-risk and low-risk groups for each of these maternal characteristics was less for some Hispanic origin subgroups than for non-Hispanic whites.