SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
FOR RELEASE: February 13, 2004
CONTACT: Dr. Lon Kightlinger, 605-773-3737

South Dakota’s infant mortality rate declining

     The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported this week that in 2002 the national infant mortality rate (IMR) increased for the first time since 1958.  Nationally, there were 7.0 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2002, compared to 6.8 infant deaths the previous year.  

     In South Dakota the IMR has been steadily decreasing, but with sporadic ups and downs.  In 2002 the South Dakota IMR was 6.5 infant deaths per 1,000 compared to 7.4 the previous year.  The lowest IMR ever in South Dakota was 5.5 in the year 2000.  

     In 2002 there were 10,698 live births in South Dakota, of which 70 infants died before reaching their first birthday.  This is a rate of 6.5 infant deaths per 1,000 live births.  The 2002 IMR for South Dakota’s white infants was 4.7, American Indian infants 14.4, and 12.3 among other races.  The overall death rate among neonatal infants during their first 27 days of life was 3.6, whereas the rate among infants 28 to 365 days old was 3.0 deaths per 1,000.  In 2002 the leading causes of infant deaths were congenital abnormalities (17), followed by low birthweight/immaturity (16), sudden infant death syndrome (13), perinatal complications (9), accidents (2), and all other causes (13).  

     The table below reports the infant mortality rates for South Dakota and the United States since 1990.  

     The full report on 2002 infant mortality is found in the “2002 South Dakota Vital Statistics Report:  a state and county comparison of leading health indicators”.  To request a copy contact the department’s Office of Data, Statistics and Vital Records at 1-800-738-2301.