"What Factors Contribute to Infant Mortality in Developed and Less Developed Countries?”
“What factors contribute to infant mortality in developed and less developed countries?”
“Infant mortality is the number of deaths among live-born infants from birth to under age one” (Sidscenter.org, n.d.). According to a National Vital Statistics Report in 2006, the leading causes of Infant Mortality in the U.S. were deformities, low birth weight, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, maternal complications, unintentional injuries, respiratory distress of the newborn, bacterial sepsis, neonatal haemorrhage and diseases of the circulatory system (Heron, M.P., Murphy, S.L., Xu, J.Q.,
Kochanek, K.D., & Tejada-Vera, B., 2006). Studies show that in less developed countries around the world some factors contributing to infant mortality are economic development, level of educational attainment, level of female educational attainment and level of expenditure on public health (Nobles, J., Shandra, J.M.,
& London, B., 2003).
In underdeveloped countries around the world, many actions need to be taken to decrease the infant mortality rate. Because of low female education about pregnancy, unlike in developed nations, women are not aware of the importance of breastfeeding in the first six months of a newborn’s life, vital antibodies are given to the child through breastfeeding. Babies in underdeveloped countries who are supplemented with tap water are at risk of infection because of contamination due to the lack of sanitation systems, this means children can die from infection, or, more commonly, dehydration from diarrhoea. In countries with malaria carrying mosquitos and other disease carrying insects, the use of insecticide sprayed sleeping nets is available, but due to low income, the cost of these nets, around five dollars, is a large percentage of many people’s gross incomes (Balbierz, A.N. n.d.). “The goal of these nets is the protection of sleeping infants from contractile diseases” (Balbierz,
A.N. n.d.). Vaccination is another
“Infant mortality is the number of deaths among live-born infants from birth to under age one” (Sidscenter.org, n.d.). According to a National Vital Statistics Report in 2006, the leading causes of Infant Mortality in the U.S. were deformities, low birth weight, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, maternal complications, unintentional injuries, respiratory distress of the newborn, bacterial sepsis, neonatal haemorrhage and diseases of the circulatory system (Heron, M.P., Murphy, S.L., Xu, J.Q.,
Kochanek, K.D., & Tejada-Vera, B., 2006). Studies show that in less developed countries around the world some factors contributing to infant mortality are economic development, level of educational attainment, level of female educational attainment and level of expenditure on public health (Nobles, J., Shandra, J.M.,
& London, B., 2003).
In underdeveloped countries around the world, many actions need to be taken to decrease the infant mortality rate. Because of low female education about pregnancy, unlike in developed nations, women are not aware of the importance of breastfeeding in the first six months of a newborn’s life, vital antibodies are given to the child through breastfeeding. Babies in underdeveloped countries who are supplemented with tap water are at risk of infection because of contamination due to the lack of sanitation systems, this means children can die from infection, or, more commonly, dehydration from diarrhoea. In countries with malaria carrying mosquitos and other disease carrying insects, the use of insecticide sprayed sleeping nets is available, but due to low income, the cost of these nets, around five dollars, is a large percentage of many people’s gross incomes (Balbierz, A.N. n.d.). “The goal of these nets is the protection of sleeping infants from contractile diseases” (Balbierz,
A.N. n.d.). Vaccination is another
Bibliography: Balbierz, A.N. (n.d.). Infant Mortality. Retrieved March 29, 2010, from http://www.cwru.edu/med/epidbio/mphp439/Infant_Mortality.htm Buckely, K.A., Koontz, A.M., & Casey, S. (1998). Fetal and Immortality Review. Retrieved March 29, 2010, from http://www.acog.org/departments/dept_notice.cfm?recno=10&bulletin=4752 International Medical News Group. (2004). Top five causes for infant mortality. OB/GYN News James, J.S. (2010). Institute of Medicine Calls for Universal Health Insurance by 2010. Retrieved March 29, 2010, from http://www.aidsnews.org/2004/01/IOM.html National Sudden and Unexpected Infant/Child Death & Pregnancy Loss Resource Center. Definitions. Retrieved March 28, 2010, from http://www.sidscenter.org/definitions.html New South Wales Department of Health Nobles, J., Shandra, J.M., & London, B. (2003). “Dependency, Democracy, Education, and Infant Mortality: A Quantitative, Cross-National Analysis of Less Developed Countries” Peck, P. (2003). 11 Million Forgotten Children. Retrieved March, 29, 2010, from http://www.countercurrents.org/archive02-01150703.htm Richer, K., Godfrey, J., Partington, G., Harslett, M., Harrison, B. (1998). Attitudes of Aboriginal students to further education