U.S. Infant Mortality Rate Sees Highest Increase In Two Decades

The U.S. infant mortality rate rose 3% last year.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that is the largest increase in two decades.

The Tulsa Health Department told News On 6 that Tulsa County has had a higher infant mortality rate than both the state and the national levels in recent years.

Experts said there are things people can do before, during, and after a pregnancy to help both mom and baby thrive.

Infant mortality is the death of a child before his or her first birthday.

Raven Helmick with the Tulsa Health Department said it is a baseline measure for the health and well-being of a community.

She said the CDC's latest data shows Tulsa County lost 71 babies in 2021.

"That gave us a rate of 8.2 per thousand live births, so every 1,000 live births that we're having in Tulsa County, which on average is 8,500, we lost 8 babies,” said Helmick.

That is higher than the state and national levels.

"Tulsa County is very unique in sort of its populations and the diversity. It's also a little urban, so there's going to be some specific items that we have to focus on that the rest of our rural communities might not be focusing on,” said Helmick.

The CDC said white and Native American infants, infant boys, and babies born at 37 weeks or earlier had significant death rate increases.

Dr. Richard Vigh with Saint Francis Health System in Tulsa works with at-risk pregnant women.

"Certain risk factors continue to rise in our society: body mass index, diabetes, chronic hypertension or high blood pressure, in vitro fertilization, lack of prenatal care,” said Dr. Vigh.

The CDC reported more babies are dying from birth complications and bacterial meningitis.

Doctor Vigh says everyone can follow these steps to keep themselves and their families healthy.

"Eight hours of sleep every night, maintain a healthy body weight, try to get some regular exercise in, a diet rich in vegetables and fruits and lean proteins like salmon," said Dr. Vigh.

Experts recommend waiting at least 18 months in between pregnancies and taking folic acid to decrease the chances of complications.