Postneonatal mortality surveillance--United States, 1980-1994

This report contains public health surveillance data that describe trends in postneonatal mortality (PNM) and that update information published in 1991.

1980-1994.

National death certificate data characterizing PNM were reported by hospital physicians, coroners, and medical examiners. Data for 1980-1994 were compiled by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) and obtained from NCHS public-use mortality tapes.

The PNM rate per 1,000 live births declined 29.8% from 4.1 in 1980 to 2.9 in 1994 (31.7% decline among white infants and 25.8% among black). Most of the decline resulted from reduced mortality from infections and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The PNM ratio between blacks and whites remained steady at approximately 2.1 during 1982-1988 and gradually increased to 2.4 by 1994 [corrected]. Autopsy rates for cases of SIDS increased from 82% to approximately 95% and did not differ among black infants and white infants. The decline of PNM rates for birth defects was greater for white infants than for black infants. The racial gap in PNM rates widened regionally during the study period, except in the South and the Northeast where ratios remained stable. In 1994, the largest gap persisted in the north-central region followed by the West and Northeast.

In 1994 as in 1980, PNM remained an important contributor to infant mortality, but nearly half of these deaths are caused by potentially preventable causes such as SIDS, infections, and injuries. The use of interventions for SIDS, birth defects, infections, and injuries can help reduce PNM and narrow the associated racial gap.

This surveillance information, which will be distributed to administrators of state maternal and child health programs and to community-based organizations nationwide, will be useful in planning infant mortality reduction programs and to target PNM prevention efforts.