Kids Count 2002: South Carolina Indicators
South Carolina Infant Mortality Fact Sheet
FACTS:
- 1 in 100 children will die before their first birthday
- Of the 564 children who died before their first birthday, 394 deaths were for children who were less than 28 days old and 170 deaths were for children between 28-364 days old
- Of the infants less than 28 days old, 91 died of disorders relating to prematurity; 65 died of birth defects; 38 died because they were affected by maternal complications. This means that 50% of the infants died from complications acquired during pregnancy.
- Of the infants between 28-364 days, 47 infants died of sudden infant death syndrome; 38 infants died of birth defects
- Infants with low birthweight (less than 5 lb. 8 oz), born premature, or in multiple births have a higher risk of dying in their first year of life
- 16% of infant deaths (under 1 year old) were caused by disorders relating to short gestation and low birthweight
- 16% of infant deaths (under 1 year old) were caused by birth defects
- 9% of infant deaths (under 1 year old) were caused by Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Although there is no way to completely prevent all infant deaths, the following are measures to reduce risk:
- Before pregnancy: make an appointment with your health care provider for a physical exam and consultation. Any existing health conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and anemia need to be under control before becoming pregnant.
- Prenatal care: make sure to seek prenatal care as soon as you find out you are pregnant
- Diet: balanced diet plus an additional 300 calories per day; limit fatty foods and sweets that are high in calories and low in nutrition
- Vitamins: take prenatal vitamins, including 400mg of folic acid every day
- Drugs and alcohol: avoid tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use. Consult with your doctor before using any medication, whether it is prescription or over-the-counter
- Smoking: If you smoke, quit. Smoking may cause a miscarriage, stillbirth, or low birthweight baby. Ask for information to help you and/or your partner quit.
- Occupational hazards: make sure to tell your doctor that you are pregnant before allowing yourself to be exposed to x-rays. Stay away from toxic chemicals both in your home and at your workplace
- After birth of baby: bring your baby to all scheduled checkups with the doctor. At a minimum, you and your baby will visit the doctor at two weeks, two months, six months, nine months, and twelve months.
Recommendations to reduce SIDS:
- Do not allow smoking around your infant
- Breastfeed
- Maintain regular well-baby visits, including recommended immunizations
- Place infant to sleep on his/her back on a firm mattress and avoid the use of bean cushions, waterbeds, soft fluffy blankets, comforters, pillows, sheepskins, stuffed toys, or other soft material
- Do not over dress or overheat your infant
NOTE: Progress toward improving KIDS COUNT indicators cannot be attributed to any one single strategy, but a combination of multiple interventions.
RESOURCES
Women can get additional information and receive referrals to health care providers by calling the DHEC Careline at 1-800-868-0404.
DHEC's Office of Injury Prevention (803) 898-0755
State Child Fatality Advisory Committee (803) 898-0371
SC March of Dimes Chapter (803) 252-5200
SC Department of Transportation's Highway Safety Office (803) 737-1161