Canada ranks 2nd for highest early infant mortality rate in developed world: Report

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Canada has the second-highest first-day infant mortality rate in the industrialized world, according to a new report.

Only the United States has a worse record for first-day death, with an estimated 11,300 a year ? 50% more than all other industrialized nations combined.

In Canada, about 900 babies ? or just under 2.5 per 1,000 ? die the same day they were born.

"While only 1% of the world's newborn deaths occur in industrialized countries, the newborn period is still the riskiest time, no matter where a baby is born. The percentage of child deaths that occur during the newborn period is rising in wealthy countries, as it is in poor countries," reads the report by Save The Children.

High infant mortality among First Nations could partly account for Canada's poor ranking. While data on the subject is sparse, a 2010 study in the Canadian Journal of Public Health notes infant mortality for Quebec babies born of Inuit mothers was 23.1 deaths per 1,000, compared to 5.1 for Canadians in general.

"Poverty, racism and stress are likely to be important contributing factors to first-day deaths in the United States and other industrialized countries," the report states.

Another contributing factor could be advancements in fertility treatment. In a 2012 report on infant mortality, the Conference Board noted that Canada has seen an increase in multiple, high-risk births.

Canada is followed by Switzerland, Latvia, Australia, New Zealand, Poland and Austria.

The worst country in the entire world for first-day deaths is Somalia, where 18 per 1,000 babies never see a second day.

Source: http://www.torontosun.com/2013/05/08/canada-ranks-2-for-highest-early-infant-mortality-rate-in-developed-world-report

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