Infant Mortality - Infant Mortality Rate

Infant Mortality Rate

Infant mortality rate (IMR) is the number of deaths of children less than one year of age per 1000 live births. The rate in a given region, therefore, is the total number of newborns dying under one year of age divided by the total number of live births during the year, then all multiplied by 1,000.

There are various forms of infant mortality. Neonatal, or newborn death is mortality occurring within 28 days postpartum. Neonatal death is often attributed to inadequate access to basic medical care during and after the mother delivers her newborn. It accounts for 40-60% of infant mortality in developing countries. Postneonatal infant mortality occurs when the child is 29 days to a year old. Biggest contributors to postneonatal deaths are malnutrition, infectious disease, and home environment. Perinatal mortality occurs in the late fetal period, which typically occurs after 28 weeks gestation and the first week postpartum.

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