Mapping Infant Mortality Inequities in Mexico: Ten Years (2014-2023) of Individual and Population Level Challenges

Infant mortality is a key indicator of population health and health system performance. This national study analyzed infant mortality in Mexico, examining temporal trends, leading causes of death, territorial inequalities, and indicators of surveillance quality. Using official mortality microdata for 224 212 deaths, we assessed patterns by cause of death, sex, health system affiliation, city size, and state of residence. Infant mortality remained largely stable during the study period (10.7 per 1000 live births in 2014 to 10.6 in 2023), despite an increase in reported medical attendance at death to 99.5% in 2023. Neonatal conditions including respiratory disorders, sepsis, prematurity, and congenital heart malformations accounted for most deaths. Territorial gradients were evident: smaller localities had lower probabilities of medical attendance and autopsy performance and higher proportions of deaths recorded as presumed external causes. Nearly 88% of infant deaths occurred among infants without social security affiliation, highlighting persistent inequities.