Infant Mortality Every day, 370,000 babies are born into this world- each having the potential to live a prosperous and productive life. Unfortunately, some of these tiny, fragile humans do not live until their first birthday. The death of infants within the first year of life is known as infant mortality. There are many contributing factors as to why infant mortality may be high or low in a specific area. In order to measure the amount of deaths that occur in a particular region, the number of newborns that die before the age of one year old per 1,000 live births are recorded and is known as the infant mortality rate in that society. Generally, the infant mortality rate of a country directly reflects on the health-care system provided. Unfortunately, in today’s world, a child dies every four seconds. In recent years, Afghanistan, a developing country located in South Asia, has been the country with the highest infant mortality rate, estimated at approximately 110 deaths per 1,000 live births. In addition, Afghanistan has the lowest life expectancy in the world at fifty years of age and an alarming high rate of maternal mortality. As a developing country overwhelmed by war, Afghanistan is one of the most dangerous places to be an expecting mother. Although the death rates of infants have declined, there is still worry that it will only increase again once the …show more content…
All of the tears, grief, and heartbreak of parents, family, and friends combine to transform into something much greater. Infant mortality is caused by a variety of factors including cultural, environmental, and health issues. In addition, statistics can also be based off geography, poverty, and race. It is evident that some countries, like Finland, are doing much better in their attempts to provide for expecting mothers and their newborns. Unfortunately, some countries just do not have the means to do so, such as
Cardiologist Ernest Madu offers a leaflet showing a 4-month-old baby girl born with a disrupted valve in her aorta. The poster advertises a community campaign to raise $60,000 to fly her to Miami, Florida, for surgery. "I heard that she died," Madu says, a somber look overtaking the usual brightness in his eyes. "If that child had been born in the U.S. instead of Jamaica," he adds, "she would have grown up to do what she wanted to do in life: Go to school, get married, have children, and have a career. She died because she was Jamaican” (Walljasper, 2008, pp. 1). According to research from the World Health Organization (WHO) in poor countries, forty percent of deaths is a child fifteen years or younger, in rich countries only
Neonatal nursing is a field of nursing designed especially for both newborns and infants up to 28 days old. The term neonatal comes from neo, "new", and natal, "pertaining to birth or origin”. Neonatal nurses are a vital part of the neonatal care team. These are trained professionals who concentrate on ensuring that the newborn infants under their care are able to survive whatever potential life threatening event they encounter. They treat infants that are born with a variety of life threatening issues that include instances of prematurity, congenital birth defects, surgery related problems, cardiac malformations, severe burns, or acute infection. Neonatal care in hospitals was always done by the nursing staff but it did not officially become a specialized medical field until well into 1960s. This was due to the numerous advancements in both medical care training and related technology that allowed for the improved treatment and survival rate of premature babies. According to the March of Dimes, one of every thirteen babies born in the United States annually suffers from low birth weight. This is a leading cause in 65% of infant deaths. Therefore, nurses play a very important role in providing round the clock care for these infants, those born with birth defects or other life threatening illness. In addition, these nurses also tend to healthy babies while their mothers recover from the birthing process. Prior to the advent of this specialized nursing field at risk newborn infants were mostly cared for by obstetricians and midwives who had limited resources to help them survive (Meeks 3).
Statistics show the impact that preemies are causing as the rate of preterm birth increases every day. Any part of the world is affected no matter how advanced they are in technology. “One of every eight infants born in the United States is premature babies” (Medline Plus). These statistics are extremely high, however people can change it by getting involved in the community and helping preemies have a less chance to lose in their battle for life. In 2003; 499,008 infants were born prematurely (National Center for Health Statistics). The rates of preterm births have increased over the years. "In 1995: 11.0% of live births were born preterm, In 2006: 12.8% of live births were born preterm"(March of Dimes-Peristats). As the numbers keep increasing, many families are suffering and losing hope for they’re babies. African American women have the highest rate of preterm birth in 2004 with a 17.6% (Reedy, 2007). These statistics demonstrate the high frequenc...
First, I will give out some statistics of infant mortality rates in America. According to an Amnesty International report, two maternal deaths occur every day for African-American women. Even though 99% of birth-related deaths happen in developing countries, these numbers for African American women in a country with world renowned health facilities are discouraging.
In Pakistan, there are estimated 300 to 640 maternal deaths per 100,000 and annually 30,000 mothers die in every 20 minutes. Many more suffer to other disabilities and diseases. Unfortunately, the overall picture a...
Every eight seconds a baby is born in the United Sates (U.S.), and within one hour four babies die (1). The infant mortality rate (IMR) measures the rate at which babies die before their first birthday and is calculated per 1,000 live births. According to government figures 7.2 babies out of every 1,000 born in 1996 died (2, p 6). Although this figure declines steadily each year and is 406% lower than the 1950 figure (3) the United States IMR is still higher than twenty four other nations (1). More importantly, the IMR for black U.S. citizens is over twice the rate of white citizens (6.3 and 14.6 respectively) (4, p 9). The National Commission to Prevent Infant Mortality even calls some regions "disaster areas" (5, p 18). What are the leading causes of infant death, and what areas within the United States are most affected? What preventative measures can ensure a child its first birthday? These questions are addressed herein. In addition, certain National Standards for Geography are met.
After reading the book which mentions the maternal and neonatal situation in Mali, one of the poorest countries in the world, is pitiable. (1) Child birth takes place under lantern light, in Mud bricks with profuse sweating without electricity, no running water, no emergency backup. With only the grace of God and the skill of a midwife that child birth takes place in remote villages in the country of Mali, West Africa, having the third highest total fertility
A fetus is alive. It is growing and given that its parents are humans, a fetus is a person. P1 Life begins at conception, so unborn babies are human beings with a right to life. Upon fertilization, a human individual is created with a unique genetic identity that remains unchanged throughout his or her life. We deny the unborn child its right to live and experience the world. Individual has a fundamental right to life, which must be protected. Don Marquis states that the fetuses have future like ours (FLO) full of activities, experiences, accomplishments, etc. which are valuable to us. We all started as an embryo and then went on to be a fetus, if our parents decided not to abort us, and give us the opportunity to live and feel why someone should deprive the unborn fetus of having the same opportunity we got.
Infant Mortality Rate is 14.0 which is alarmingly high. That is almost 3 times more than the U.S. infant mortality rate (Knoema,pg.1). All these statistics are very useful when observing poverty and access to healthcare.
“The Institute of Medicine reported that the cost associated with premature birth in the USA was $26.2 billion each year. $1.1 billion for special education services. $5.7 billion in lost work and pay for people born prematurely.About 1 in 3 children born prematurely need special school services.The Institute of Medicine says these services cost an estimated$2.200 per year per child.The Supplemental Security Income(SSI) program pays benefits to disable adults and children who have limited income and resources”( The impact of premature birth on the community and
Each year in America, there are fewer children surviving birth than many other countries. This is evident in the CDC article, “International Comparisons of Infant Mortality and Related Factors: United States and Europe, 2010.” It is expressed in the article how “The U.S. infant mortality rate of 6.1 infant deaths per 1,000 live births was more than twice that for Japan and Finland (both 2.3), the countries with the lowest rates. Twenty-one of the 26 OECD countries studied had infant mortality rates below 5.0” (MacDorman, Marain F., et al.). With this being said, in America there is about twice the chance of having a birth defect than in other countries. How could the best country in the world have such high chances of infant deaths? A country is based off of having the ability to grow its population and welcome new people unto the world. However, this is not an easy task to do when there are so many deaths at
Women often have their baby being born already dead, which is combined with excessive bleeding. “Over half of births in Afghanistan — 65 percent — take place at home, contributing to low levels of vaccinations and a mortality rate that's still high” (“Afghan women largely lack healthcare, education”) because many hospitals were too far to travel to. One acting component to the lack of women’s health is that women are uneducated about it. If women were educated more on birth giving and the importance of not having a child under the age of 18, many deaths and miscarriages could be prevented. “92.9 percent of married women ages 15-19 are not using any method of contraception at all.” Women in urban areas tend to be more educated than women in rural areas. Also that with the rich women than poor
Figure two showed how antenatal care coverage got better in every region. This graph showed how, “57 per cent of deliveries were done by skilled health personnel, compared to 69 per cent in 2012. South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa have the lowest rates of deliveries attended by health professionals. The rates were 49% and 50 % in 2012.” Figure three showed, “Percentage of infants aged 0-5 months, who were breastfed from 2000-2012. This figure suggests there is a strong correlation between breastfeeding and good health. Breastfeeding is one of the strongest defenses against disease. Consequently, only a few are ever breastfed. The progress of breastfeeding in West and Central Africa is low.” Figure four showed how mortality rates declined in all regions. Figure five showed how, “Measles immunization coverage improved in 1990, but is still lagging in some regions. Deaths from measles were reduced by 80 percent between the years of 2000-2013. The Measles vaccine coverage improved from 73% in 1990 to 84% in
Infanticide is intentionally taking out the life of a child. It has been around since the earliest times, it is said to be an ancient and extensive practice among humans. Infanticide entails culture. It is boldly practices for some part of the world especially in Indian communities like Amazon. Indian tribes in Brazil such as Uaiuai, the Bororo, the Mehinaco, the Tapirapé, the Ticuna, the Amondaua, the Uru-eu-wau-wau, the Suruwaha, the Deni, the Jarawara, the Jaminawa, the Waurá, the Kuikuro, the Kamayurá, the Parintintin, the Yanomami, the Paracanã and the Kajabi indigenous peoples continues practice killing such innocent child. It is not a crime for them, it is their tradition based on their beliefs that, if a child was born with sort
The current under five year child mortality rate in Pakistan is 89 deaths per 1,000 live births while the Infant mortality rate is 74 deaths per 1,000 live births. Unfortunately, this rate is 28% higher in rural than in urban areas. Mainly due lack of education, lack of family planning, Lack of vaccination, low birth weight, mal nutrition, overcrowded houses, and non-breast fed children (National Institute of Pakistan Studies and Macro International Inc., 2006-2007).