Total births to teenage and younger mothers during this time averaged 2,216 per year, or about 17 percent of all births in the county. Kern County ranks seventh in the state in the proportion of births to adolescents. Kern County along with Kings County had the highest rate in the state. Statewide, the neonatal mortality rate was 4.7 deaths per 1,000 live births. Kern County showed a higher infant death rate of 10 per 1,000 and was ranked highest in the state.
Kern County ranks fourth in the state in the proportion of low birth-weight babies.
Receive Late or No Prenatal Care From 1992 through 1994, about 3,700 children per year were born in Kern County with little or no prenatal care received by the mother. Prenatal Conditions and Congenital Anomalies Leading Cause of Infant Mortality in Kern County Prenatal conditions were identified as the leading cause of death for 47 percent of the 673 infant deaths in Kern County from 1990 through 1994. Automobile Accidents Leading Cause of Death to Children and Young Adults in Kern County From 1990 through 1994, automobile accidents were the leading cause of death for 43 percent of the 768 deaths to children and young adults 5 to 24 years of age. Firearms Cause of Death to 16 Percent of 10 to 17 Year Olds and 21 Percent of 18 to 24 Year Olds in Kern County From 1990 through 1994, firearms were the cause of death for 138 children and young adults ages 10 to 24.