Latest South Carolina Infant, Maternal Mortality Reports Reveal Alarming Trends

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 12, 2023

COLUMBIA, S.C. — New knowledge launched at this time in separate experiences by the South Carolina Division of Well being and Environmental Management (DHEC) present a dramatic enhance in each the state’s toddler mortality and maternal mortality charges.

The company’s 2023 Toddler Mortality Report, launched yearly by DHEC’s Bureau of Maternal and Little one Well being, exhibits that South Carolina’s toddler mortality fee rose by 12% from 2020 to 2021 (the newest knowledge obtainable) and has grown by virtually 40% since 2017 for infants born to non-Hispanic Black moms.

The report exhibits that variety of kids who died from Sudden Toddler Demise Syndrome (SIDS) (27) greater than doubled the full from the earlier yr (12), and the full variety of toddler deaths, 416, was the very best in practically a decade (435 in 2012).

Black infants continued to endure disproportionately, dying at a fee practically 2.5 occasions that of White infants.

The three main causes of toddler demise in South Carolina in 2021 had been: 

1. congenital malformations or beginning defects, 
2. issues associated to brief gestation and low birthweight, and 
3. causes associated to maternal issues of being pregnant. 

Deaths as a consequence of SIDS ranked fourth, whereas accidents had been the fifth-leading explanation for toddler deaths in 2021, with 25 of the 26 unintended deaths as a consequence of suffocation or strangulation in mattress.

“As DHEC’s director of Public Well being, this enhance within the toddler mortality fee is alarming and counter to what our year-round prevention efforts intention to affect,” mentioned Dr. Brannon Traxler. “As a mother, my coronary heart aches for these mother and father who’ve skilled the unimaginable loss of a kid.

“DHEC will use this knowledge to assist decide the most effective methods we will work with our companions to enhance well being outcomes for all moms and their infants within the years to come back.

The company additionally launched the most recent report by the South Carolina Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Evaluation Committee (SCMMMRC), which investigated 66 pregnancy-associated deaths from 2019 (the newest knowledge obtainable) and decided 22 deaths to be immediately associated to the being pregnant itself, a rise of 9.3% from the yr earlier than.

Equally to the toddler mortality report, the SCMMMRC discovered that Black moms skilled a 67% greater pregnancy-related mortality ratio than White moms in each 2018 and 2019.

The highest three underlying causes of maternal deaths for 2018 and 2019 had been: 

1. cardiomyopathy, 
2. psychological well being circumstances, and 
3. hemorrhage. 

The SCMMMRC defines psychological well being circumstances as psychiatric issues equivalent to melancholy, suicide and substance use dysfunction. The fourth- and fifth-leading causes had been cardiovascular circumstances and infections, respectively.

“The rising toddler mortality fee in Black ladies and the continued racial disparity in mortality charges stays a priority right here in South Carolina,” mentioned Kimberly Seals, director of DHEC’s Bureau of Maternal and Little one Well being. “We should proceed our work to make sure we’re reaching extra anticipating mother and father so we will shut this hole, which is able to help in bringing the full toddler mortality fee down as effectively.”

DHEC and South Carolina’s Title V program proceed to accomplice with organizations such because the S.C. Hospital Affiliation, S.C. Division of Well being and Human Providers, and the S.C. Chapter of the March of Dimes. DEHC stays an energetic participant of the S.C. Beginning Outcomes Initiative to handle entry to high quality maternal, toddler and baby well being providers, together with preventive and first care, entry to prenatal, supply and postnatal care to ladies and common screenings and follow-up.

“DHEC, along with its companions, is dedicated to a renewed focus and energy on figuring out the most effective evidence-based methods and actions to lower maternal and toddler mortality in South Carolina, with a major emphasis on lowering the disparities that exist with the mortality charges,” mentioned Traxler.

For data and assets about enhancing maternal and toddler well being, go to:

For extra data, go to scdhec.gov/well being.

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