The state of South Dakota's child: 1988

South Dakota's five year (1982-86) mean neonatal mortality rate (6.2) has achieved the Surgeon General's 1990 goal of 6.5 and is lower than the 7.1 national mean rate. The rate of post neonatal mortality continues to be an area of concern, especially for the non-white population whose five year mean rate is twice that of the nation. Inadequate utilization of prenatal care in South Dakota is significantly related to higher neonatal and post neonatal mortality, higher admission rates to neonatal intensive care and higher costs for neonatal intensive care. Improving access and utilization of prenatal care is advocated as a cost effective and humane investment of public resources.