National Vital Statistics Reports Volume 69, Number 7 July 16, 2020, Infant Mortality in the United States, 2018: Data From the Period Linked Birth/Infant Death File

National Vital Statistics Reports Volume 69, Number 7 July 16, 2020, Infant Mortality in the United States, 2018: Data From the Period Linked Birth/Infant Death File

Infant mortality rate was at a record low in 2018

The U.S. infant mortality rate in 2018 hit another historic low, according to new CDC data. Here's more: 

• Overall trends: There were nearly 21,500 infant deaths in 2018, for a rate of around 5.7 deaths per 1,000 live births. In contrast, there were more than 22,300 deaths in 2017 — a rate of 5.8 deaths per 1,000 live births.
• Race and ethnicity: The mortality rate in 2018 was highest among infants born to Black women, and lowest among those born to Asian women. Infants born to Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander women were the only group that experienced an increase in mortality rate in 2018.
• Cause of death: Like in 2017, congenital malformations were the leading cause of death for infants in 2018. There were fewer deaths due to unintentional injuries and maternal complications in 2018 compared to the previous year.