This report describes research programs focusing on the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and indicates some presently available results. Specific attention is given to research on sleep apnea, respiratory control, and hypoxia, as well as to infectious disease processes and immunology. Findings of a large-scale multidisciplinary SIDS project are…

Reviews characteristics of victims of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, based on worldwide statistics and the author's experience as a pathologist at a children's hospital. (SB)

Provides a mathematical model for comparing the infant mortality rates (IMRs) of different States to long-term trends. Presents separate analyses of white IMRs in 49 States and non-white IMRs in 30 States. Nine States had infant mortality trends less favorable than the national experience and 1981-83 rates more than 5% above the national average.…

This report is one in a series by the Food Research and Action Center celebrating the achievements of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) in its 25-year history. The report documents the growth in WIC participation nationally and in each state during the program's history. Following a brief discussion…

In a sample of children with significant learning disabilities, it was found that those born in warm months had higher IQ's than those born in cold months. The effects of temperature and humidity upon neonatal cortex development are offered as a possible explanation of the differences noted. (ST)

Reviews three areas of literature on home apnea monitoring for infants: (1) identification of infants at risk, (2)technical aspects of monitoring, and (3) families' responses to monitoring. Outlines areas of controversy, including effect of use of home monitors on parent anxiety. Calls for ongoing education for parents who undertake home…

In 1989, African Americans had an infant mortality rate about 2.2 times higher than Anglos, with little difference in the gaps for endogenous and exogenous mortality. The racial gap was related to differences in sociodemographic, maternal-health, and health-care factors, and was greater between high school graduates than between high school…

Examined psychological and social impact of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) on 80 grandmothers and grandfathers. Results of quantitative and qualitative analyses suggest that SIDS for most grandparents is a devastating experience. Common feelings expressed included disbelief, anger, guilt, anxiety, depression, concern for their bereaved adult…

Evaluated 108 mothers and their newborn babies for bacterial colonization and neonatal septicemia (NNS) after membranes had ruptured for 24 hours or more. Nearly 40% of the babies were already colonized at birth. The three most common bacteria isolated from the babies were Escherichia coli, Group B Streptococcus, and Streptococcus faecalis. (MDM)

This 2009 KIDS COUNT Data Brief features highlights of the enhanced, mobile-friendly Data Center; data on the 10 key indicators of child well-being for all U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and many cities, counties, and school districts; and a summary of this year's essay, which calls for improvements to the nation's ability to design and…

This booklet is a report of the health status and service needs of America's children. It presents a summary of sentinel health measures reflecting both what has been accomplished and what challenges remain. The first section describes the general population to provide a context for health measures. In the second section, selected health status…

This document presents mortality statistics for 1985 for the entire United States. Data analysis and discussion of these factors is included: death and death rates; death rates by age, sex, and race; expectation of life at birth and at specified ages; causes of death; infant mortality; and maternal mortality. Highlights reported include: (1) the…

This speech sketches a picture of post-natal health care in the United States, circa 1979. Between 1970 and 1976, post-natal infant deaths in the first week after birth dropped 32%. During the same period, the post-neonatal decline was just 12%. Statistics are presented which highlight areas of concern. Variation across states, high incidence in…

This article addresses the issue of national health care. Neither Medicare nor Medicaid equitably meet the health needs of the entire population. The author suggests criteria which must be met by a national health program if it is to eliminate inequalities in costs, access to services and quality of care. (GC)

Bemoans the failure of the social work profession to claim infant mortality as a professional priority in spite of evidence of the appropriateness of social work interventions. Stresses social work's role in the reduction of preventable infant deaths. (Author/KS)