The Infant Mortality Rate is a Critical Measure
 
 
The infant mortality rate compares the health and well-being of populations across and within countries.  According to the Centers for Disease Control, "the infant mortality rate is one of the most important indicators for the heatlh of a nation, as it is associated with a variety of factors such as maternal health, quality and access to medical care, socioeconomic conditions and public health practices."
 
What is Infant Mortality?
Infant mortality is the death of an infant before the age of one - expressed as the actual number of infant deaths per 1,000 live births.  Birth weight is the single most important indicator for infant death.
 
What is Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW)?
Very low birth weight is a baby born less than 3.3 pounds or 1500 grams - expressed as a percentage of live births. One in four babies born at VLBW will die before the age of one.
 
What is Low Birth Weight (LBW)?
Low birth weight is a baby born less than 5.5 pounds or 2500 grams - expressed as a percentage of live births.
 
What is Preterm Birth?
Preterm birth is a baby born before 37 weeks gestation.
 
What is Neonatal Death?
Neonatal death is the death of an inant under 28 days of age.
 
2010 Infant Mortality Data (data source: DHMH):
Maryland IMR for everyone - 6.7 deaths per 1000 live births
Maryland IMR for African Americans - 11.8 deaths per 1000 live births
 
The Countries with the best infant mortality rates:
Monaco with 1.78 deaths per 1000 live births
Singapore with 2 deaths per 1000 live births
Bermuda with 2.4 deaths per 1000 live births
Sweden with 2.7 deaths per 1000 live births
Japan with 2.9 deaths per 1000 live births
**The United States has 6.9 deaths per 1000 live births ranking 29th out of 222