CDC: U.S. ranks 30th for infant mortality

ATLANTA, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- The United States compares favorably with European countries in infant mortality rates for preterm, but not for full term infants, health officials said.

A report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics said that in 2005, the latest year that the international ranking is available for, the United States ranked 30th in the world in infant mortality, behind almost all European countries, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan and Israel.

Infant mortality is an indicator of the health of a nation, and the recent stagnation -- since 2000 -- in the U.S. infant mortality rate has generated concern among health officials.

There are some differences among countries in the reporting of very small infants who may die soon after birth. However, it appears unlikely that differences in reporting are the primary explanation for the United States' relatively low international ranking, the report said.

In 2005, the United States had an infant mortality rate of 6.9 per 1,000 live births, behind 29 countries and behind Singapore, with the best infant mortality rate of 2.1 per 1,000 live births.

One would have to assume that these countries did not report more than one-third of their infant deaths for their infant mortality rates to equal or exceed the U.S. rate, the study authors said. The United States compares favorably with Europe in the survival of infants born preterm, the report said.