Infant Mortality: Surveillance Data & Health Implications - Essay Sample

Surveillance Data on Infant Mortality

The potential health problem discussed in this paper is on infant mortality. The death of an infant before the celebration of the first birthday is referred to as infant mortality (CDC WONDER, 2019). Infant mortality rate is, therefore, be given by the number of infant deaths divided by the number of live births per one thousand. The rate of infant mortality provides us with a clue on the general health of a population. It also indicates the state of health for pregnant women during the antepartum period and in the postpartum time.

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The infant mortality rate of the United States stood at 5.8 death per 1000 live births in the year 2017, according to the CDC (CDC, 2019). More than 22,000 children below the age of one year did not celebrate their first birthday (CDC, 2019). Five major causes contributing to infant deaths have been identified. They include anomalies associated with birth, low birth weight, and the birth of preterm babies, complications arising during pregnancy, asphyxia and sudden infant death syndrome.

In the United States, congenital disabilities are responsible for 20% of all infant deaths. Preterm births caused 17% of all infant deaths in the year 2015. Preterm birth is defined as delivery before the age of thirty-seven weeks. Women of the African-American race reported higher cases of preterm birth in the year 2017 at 14% in comparison to white women at 9%. Three thousand six hundred deaths in 2017 resulted from sudden infant death syndrome. Between 1990 and 2017, rates of sudden infant death syndrome have been declining. Injuries resulting in infant death include burns and poisoning. Infant death rates according to race and ethnicity in 2016 was highest among the non-Hispanic black children.

Contribution of Clinical and Administrative Systems in Public Health Surveillance

Clinically, data can be collected from the health care facilities, and this is used for public surveillance. For every child born in a health care facility, vital information is collected, including the age, gender, and weight of the baby. There is also the record of any child born with a congenital disability or other associated complications. If a child dies within the health care facility at the age of less than one year, death is recorded accordingly. For every infant death, the age of the child, and the cause of death is registered.

Clinically collected data used for surveillance has aided in identifying the five major causes of infant deaths in the United States. They include anomalies associated with birth, low birth weight, and the birth of preterm babies, complications arising during pregnancy, asphyxia and sudden infant death syndrome. With the accurate recording of these data, surveillance on infant mortality rate is made possible. One does not only have an idea of the number of deaths but also knows the causes, and therefore, appropriate measures can be put in place.

CDC through PRAMS (Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System) is involved in surveillance critical for collecting information on infant deaths. The program was developed in 1985, and its main target is to collect data that will help the CDC monitor women and infants with adverse health problems (CDC, 2018). The data is then used to identify measures to put in place in order to improve the health of such mothers and children. The PRAMS program collects data by the administration of questionnaires to mothers as a way of identifying high-risk women. Information collected includes care received before conceiving, how a mother can describe the experiences in her most recent pregnancy, the health status of a child she has under the age of one year and any sustained physical injury.

Role of Existing Surveillance and Health Information Systems in Health Care and Bioterrorism

Existing surveillance systems have a role in collecting and analyzing data, dissemination of results, and using the information to develop programs in public health that ensure quality health status. Through the CDC surveillance system, information has been obtained on congenital disabilities as the leading cause of death for children below the age of one year in the United States. As much some of the congenital disabilities may not be controlled, public health programs put in place can deter the manifestation of specific congenital anomalies.

Neural tube defects constitute the most common central nervous system congenital anomalies. Research has shown that most of these conditions, including the different variants of Spina bifida result due to inadequate folate in the body. Folic acid is critical in the manufacture of genetic material this ensuring proper development of the central nervous system. As a result of this information, public health programs to prevent the deficiency of folic acid in pregnant women have been put in place through the preconception care package. Patient education has also continued in the antenatal clinics to equip expectant mothers with the necessary knowledge to maintain health when they are expectant. This, in turn, results in health care reform.

Through the continuous collection of data on infectious diseases more so those that have a risk of being used in bioterrorism, action can be taken promptly, thus curbing the threat. Bioterrorism may be accomplished through the use of the bacillus anthracis bacteria, which is transmitted in an airborne manner. Immediate reporting of data to the CDC on the possibility of the disease allows for a caution report to be sent in all places and affected individuals are isolated until free from symptoms. Superior health information systems have facilitated efficiency in the surveillance processes.

References

CDC WONDER. (2019). Infant Deaths. Retrieved from: https://wonder.cdc.gov/lbd.html

CDC. (2019). Infant Mortality. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternalinfanthealth/infantmortality.htm

CDC. (2018). What is PRAMS? Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/prams/index.htm