Much Work Remain to Improve Infant Mortality in the U.S. and Abroad, Says the American Academy of Pediatrics

While the United States has made significant progress over the past decade in reducing newborn deaths, considerable work remains, as outlined in a study published Aug. 30, 2011 in PLOS Medicine. Premature births, lack of prenatal care, high rates of obesity and inadequate preventive health care contribute to a neonatal mortality rate in the U.S. that is higher than that of other industrialized nations.

"This comparison gives us reason to think that we can do better," said O. Marion Burton, MD, FAAP, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). "Pediatricians are committed to protecting our most vulnerable children. We must work with other physicians, organizations and governmental agencies to bring about the positive changes that will drive down neonatal mortality, both here in the U.S. and abroad."

The AAP has partnered with the March of Dimes and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to reduce the number of premature births, a major factor in neonatal mortality in the U.S. These efforts have met with success, particularly in reducing the number of late pre-term births (36 to 39 weeks gestation). Every week of pregnancy is important, and preventing unnecessary early deliveries reduces morbidity and mortality.

Increasing young women's access to preventive health care so that they begin pregnancy as healthy as possible will further lower neonatal mortality rates, Dr. Burton said. The majority of pregnant women now have access to prenatal care - a positive trend - but too many young women become pregnant when they are obese, malnourished in essential vitamins, or suffering chronic diseases that increase their odds of a premature birth or stillbirth. Mothers-to-be deserve the best possible start, including the support of their family and community.

"Our young citizens need readily available health care so that they are in the best health possible when they begin their families," Dr. Burton said.

To help reduce neonatal mortality in other parts of the world, the AAP has developed a neonatal resuscitation program that has become the gold standard in educating health care providers in more than 130 countries. Scientific evidence from this program was recently used to develop Helping Babies Breathe, a global initiative the AAP launched in 2010 with the U.S. Agency for International Development, Save the Children's Saving Newborn Lives program, and other aid groups to teach these essential skills to birth attendants in developing countries. Now in place in 30 countries, Helping Babies Breathe should have a dramatic impact on reducing infant mortality worldwide.

"If we can improve the health care an infant receives in the first 24 hours after birth, we can dramatically lower mortality rates in many countries with limited resources," said Dr. Burton.

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org.