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pubmed:otherAbstract |
PIP: In order to determine the excess postperinatal mortality rate (PPMR) in the North East Essex health district, researchers examined 108 infant deaths. The PPMR of 10.2/1000 for army infants was significantly higher than the rate of 5.1/1000 for all the other infants (p=.02). Additionally, 8 of the 46 infants that died due to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) were children of army personnel. The SIDS rate of 5.8/1000 for army infants exceeded the SIDS rate of 2.1/1000 for all other infants by almost 3 times. Since the death rate for all other causes was 4.4/1000 for army infants and 3.1/1000 for all other infants, researchers concluded that SIDS was the leading cause of postneonatal mortality for army infants. Differences between Army mothers and all other mothers included that Army mothers tend to be younger (mean age 21 v. 26), more smoke (57.% v. 53.2%), and fewer intended to breast feed their infants (35.7% v. 53.2%). In addition, more army families experienced marital stress or violence, or both (p=.05) than did other families. The researchers speculate that for Army mothers, their young age, their isolation in the garrison, and the lack of family support probably all contributed to the high mortality of these infants. The government is considering studying infant deaths since 1984 to learn why they occurred and how to prevent them.
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