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Disparities in Mortality Rates Among US Infants Born Late Preterm or Early Term, 2003–2005

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify disparities in neonatal, post-neonatal, and overall infant mortality rates among infants born late preterm (34–36 weeks gestation) and early term (37–38 weeks gestation) by race/ethnicity, maternal age, and plurality. In analyses of 2003–2005 data from US period linked birth/infant death datasets, we compared infant mortality rates by race/ethnicity, maternal age, and plurality among infants born late preterm or early term and also determined the leading causes of death among these infants. Among infants born late preterm, infants born to American Indian/Alaskan Native, non-Hispanic black, or teenage mothers had the highest infant mortality rates per 1,000 live births (14.85, 9.90, and 11.88 respectively). Among infants born early term, corresponding mortality rates were 5.69, 4.49, and 4.82, respectively. Among infants born late preterm, singletons had a higher infant mortality rate than twins (8.59 vs. 5.62), whereas among infants born early term, the rate was higher among twins (3.67 vs. 3.15). Congenital malformations and sudden infant death syndrome were the leading causes of death among both late preterm and early term infants. Infant mortality rates among infants born late preterm or early term varied substantially by maternal race/ethnicity, maternal age, and plurality. Information about these disparities may help in the development of clinical practice and prevention strategies targeting infants at highest risk.

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Abbreviations

LMP:

Last menstrual period

NCHS:

National center for health statistics

SIDS:

Sudden infant death syndrome

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Conflict of interest

  The authors have no conflict of interest to declare and have nothing to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Rd. NE, CNR Room 3019, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA

    Jennifer P. King & Julie A. Gazmararian

  2. Maternal and Infant Health Branch, Division of Reproductive Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mailstop K-23, 4770 Buford Highway, NE, Atlanta, GA, 30341-3717, USA

    Carrie K. Shapiro-Mendoza

  3. Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation, Epidemiology Research Center, 1000N. Oak Ave. (ML2), Marshfield, WI, 54449, USA

    Jennifer P. King

Authors
  1. Jennifer P. King
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  2. Julie A. Gazmararian
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  3. Carrie K. Shapiro-Mendoza
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Correspondence to Jennifer P. King.

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The findings and conclusions in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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King, J.P., Gazmararian, J.A. & Shapiro-Mendoza, C.K. Disparities in Mortality Rates Among US Infants Born Late Preterm or Early Term, 2003–2005. Matern Child Health J 18, 233–241 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-013-1259-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-013-1259-0

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