State of South Dakota's Child: 2021

Area of Science:

• Demography
• Public Health
• Perinatal Epidemiology

Background:

• South Dakota's 2020 crude birth rate reached a historic low, continuing a downward trend.
• Minority births constitute approximately one-quarter of all births, with shifts in ethnic composition.
• The state's infant mortality rate (IMR) in 2020 was significantly higher than the U.S. rate.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze 2020 natality and infant mortality data in South Dakota.
• To examine trends in birth rates, minority birth composition, and infant mortality.
• To explore potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on perinatal outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 2020 resident birth and death records for South Dakota.
• Comparison of South Dakota's 2020 infant mortality data with previous years and U.S. national rates.
• Examination of infant mortality causes, including sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUID) and perinatal factors.

Main Results:

• A 4% decrease in resident births led to the lowest crude birth rate since 1910.
• The infant mortality rate (IMR) increased to 7.4 deaths per 1,000 live births, exceeding the U.S. rate.
• Sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUID) contributed to the rising IMR, with minority infants experiencing higher mortality rates from perinatal causes, SUID, and accidents/homicide.

Conclusions:

• South Dakota faces declining natality and a concerning infant mortality rate, particularly among minority populations.
• Sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUID) are a significant factor in the state's IMR and warrant further investigation.
• The 2020 data provides an initial look at potential pandemic-related influences on perinatal outcomes, though causal links cannot be established.