How Can Infant Mortality Be Prevented?

Although there are no actions guaranteed to prevent the leading causes of infant mortality, there are actions that can reduce the risk by promoting the health and well-being of mothers and their infants. Standard preventative measures for infant mortality include:

• Reducing the likelihood of congenital disabilities 
• Promoting appropriate pre-pregnancy and prenatal care 
• Addressing preterm births and low birth weights
• Encouraging newborn screening programs to detect serious health conditions
• Ensuring a safe sleep environment for infants 

Appropriate pre-pregnancy and prenatal care can include educating expectant parents about the importance of adequate nutrition, screening for health risks and chronic conditions, and counseling against alcohol, tobacco, and other substances. Many of these actions also help to reduce the risk of congenital disabilities. Encouraging mothers to maintain consistent physical activity or exercise is another way to emphasize healthy behaviors that promote a healthy pregnancy and delivery. Additionally, expectant mothers need consistent check-ups to ensure that any potential risks are identified early.

Addressing preterm births and low birth weights includes a variety of best practices that support both the mother and the infant. Premature and low-birth-weight infants typically need increased skin-to-skin contact with their mothers to stay warm. They may also require additional attention in a hospital or other medical facility for some time. Increased attention to hygiene and close monitoring are also necessary since preterm and low-birth-weight babies tend to be more susceptible to infections and potentially dangerous health conditions. Since these infants may gain weight slowly, additional support for breastfeeding and close monitoring of growth are essential factors in achieving positive outcomes. 

Public health initiatives such as newborn screening programs effectively detect disorders and health conditions that can result in disability or death. These programs screen babies within the first 24 to 48 hours following birth by using blood samples to test for up to 50 conditions. Screenings for heart issues and hearing disorders are also included in addition to the traditional blood tests. If a newborn is at increased risk for severe health conditions, healthcare professionals will arrange further testing.

Finally, ensuring that mothers have access to adequate healthcare services and education for new parents is crucial. These services not only provide suitable care throughout the pregnancy but also provide critical educational resources about how to initiate breastfeeding, create a safe sleep environment, provide proper nutrition through the introduction of first foods, maintain updated vaccinations, recognize the signs of postpartum depression, and many other aspects of motherhood. Implementing these measures can reduce infant mortality rates while promoting a healthier future for mothers and their babies.

Sources

“Are there ways to reduce the risk of infant mortality?”. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/infant-mortality/topicinfo/reduce-risk 

“Newborn mortality”. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/newborn-mortality 

“Newborn Screening”. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/newborn