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Infant mortality: some international comparisons

M E Wegman1

  • 1School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109-2029, USA.

Pediatrics
|December 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary

Infant mortality rates (IMRs) vary globally, with data completeness affecting comparisons. While many countries show significant IMR declines, the US lags behind some nations, highlighting data accuracy challenges in global health assessments.

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Area of Science:

  • Global Health
  • Demography
  • Public Health Statistics

Background:

  • Accurate comparison of global infant mortality rates (IMRs) necessitates evaluating data completeness and accuracy.
  • The United Nations classifies country data as complete (at least 90% recorded events) or incomplete, impacting 1994 population data analysis.
  • Discrepancies in live birth definitions and reporting practices, such as classifying early infant deaths as stillbirths, can understate a country's IMR.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare infant mortality rates (IMRs) across countries, assessing data completeness and accuracy.
  • To analyze trends in IMRs in the US and other nations from 1930 to 1994.
  • To investigate the correlation between IMRs and factors like teenage pregnancy and total fertility rates.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized 1994 data from 80 governments classified by the UN Statistical Office for completeness.
  • Examined official live birth definitions accepted by World Health Organization member states.
  • Analyzed historical IMR data from 1930 to 1994 for the US, Japan, Puerto Rico, Chile, and Cuba, and compared with global estimates.

Main Results:

  • In 1994, 22 countries had IMRs ranging from 4.2 (Japan) to 8.0 (US), a significant decrease from 1930 levels (Japan: 124.0, US: 60.0).
  • Adjusting US data for potential underreporting of early deaths still resulted in a higher IMR than 17 other countries.
  • The US IMR declined slower than several other countries between 1930-1994, particularly during 1951-1965. Global IMRs, estimated from surveys, range from 27 to 190.
  • High total fertility rates correlate with high infant mortality, while teenage pregnancy shows minimal effect on IMRs.

Conclusions:

  • Despite significant global progress in reducing infant mortality, data completeness and definitional consistency remain critical challenges for accurate international comparisons.
  • The US has made progress in lowering IMRs but has not kept pace with the decline rates observed in some other developed nations.
  • Global infant mortality rates vary widely, with high fertility rates being a significant contributing factor.

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