Infant Mortality

The Infant Mortality topic includes research on the causes and prevention of infant death from live birth (day 1) to 1 year. There are many causes of infant mortality, including infections, congenital anomalies, and accidents. The main causes of infant mortality in the United States are different than the main causes of infant death around the world. Common causes in the United States include congenital anomalies, preterm birth and low birthweight, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), pregnancy complications, and accidents.

There is a difference between causes of infant mortality and contributors to infant mortality. A cause leads directly to a death. In contrast, a contributor is a risk factor that makes the death more likely to happen. Infant mortality research aims to understand the various causes of and contributors to infant mortality and then to find ways of preventing or eliminating those causes and contributors. These efforts include tailored prevention and treatment for disproportionately affected groups, as well as for situations unique to resource-poor areas of the world.