Despite the increased sophistication of perinatal care from the 1970's through the early 90's, the rates of low birth weight and very low birth weight (VLBW) deliveries increased. During this time the neonatal mortality rate decreased, while the post-neonatal mortality rate decreased at a smaller and slower rate than the neonatal rate in the 70's and 80's, and at a similar rate to neonatal mortality in the early 90's. The suggestion from the 1990's data that infant death is not postponed from the neonatal to postneonatal periods was made using a racially unstratified population. This study examines the temporal variations in the time to infant death, from perinatal causes, by race and birth weight. The study uses a non-experimental, retrospective, population based design, using US Vital Records National Linked (matched) Live Birth/Infant Death Certificates for 1985, 1990 and 1995. The outcome variable is time to infant death from perinatal-related causes. Examining all birth weight infants (500-6000 grams), and VLBW infants, logistic regression is used to estimate the risk for death and the risk of postponed death for Black infants to White infants, and the mortality rate for each age-at-death interval is calculated. Preliminary analysis suggests that Black infants show and White infants do not show postponed death from the neonatal to postneonatal periods. Any racial disparity shown in postponement, and its associated implications for health care delivery, will be of interest for maternal-child health policymakers and managed care organizations. (239 words).
Learning Objectives: Learning Objectives At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: 1. Discuss the the neonatal mortality and postneonatal mortality trends from 1970 to 1995. 2. Discuss the implications derived from the trends. 3. Identify the issues, that the research findings suggest, that will be of interest to maternal child health policy makers and health service delivery organizations
Keywords: Infant Mortality, Birth Outcomes
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.