State of South Dakota's Child: 2022

Area of Science:

• Demography
• Public Health
• Perinatal Epidemiology

Background:

• South Dakota experienced a historic low birth rate in 2020, with a subsequent increase in 2021, though still below the 2016-2020 average.
• The racial composition of newborns in South Dakota shifted, with a decrease in American Indian, Black, and Other races (AIBO) births in 2021.
• Racial disparities in perinatal outcomes persisted during the pandemic, with no change in the timing of prenatal care initiation for white or AIBO populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze recent trends in South Dakota's birth rates, newborn demographics, and infant mortality.
• To examine racial disparities in infant mortality, including neonatal and post-neonatal rates, and specific causes of death.
• To compare South Dakota's infant mortality rates with national data and identify areas for intervention.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of birth and death certificate data for South Dakota from 2016-2021.
• Calculation of birth rates, infant mortality rates (IMR), neonatal mortality rates (NMR), and post-neonatal mortality rates (PNMR).
• Comparison of South Dakota's rates with national data and examination of mortality causes by race.

Main Results:

• The 2021 birth increase was mainly among the white population, and the overall birth rate remained below the five-year mean.
• South Dakota's 2021 infant mortality rate (IMR) decreased to 6.3, but this was not statistically significant from the five-year average.
• Significant racial disparities in mortality persist, with higher rates for AIBO newborns for perinatal causes, sudden unexpected infant death (SUID), and congenital anomalies compared to white newborns and national rates.

Conclusions:

• Despite a slight increase in births, South Dakota's birth trends show a decline from the previous five-year average, with growth concentrated in the white population.
• While overall infant mortality decreased in 2021, persistent and significant racial disparities remain, particularly for AIBO newborns.
• Strategies to address racial disparities in perinatal outcomes and reduce infant mortality, especially SUID and deaths from congenital anomalies, are urgently needed.