The first indicator presented, infant mortality, is an internationally recognized indicator of a country s state of health development. Canada s infant mortality rate has declined steadily during the last century. However, other countries have lower infant mortality rates, as well as fewer disparities between sub-populations, and the infant mortality rate remains an appropriate indicator for international comparisons. The second and third indicators presented, preterm birth and neural tube defects, are central components of the infant mortality picture.
Neural tube defects exemplify the challenges of congenital anomaly surveillance.
Furthermore, the ongoing efforts to reduce the burden of neural tube defects heighten the need to track this indicator. Together, these three indicators characterize the importance of infant health to the overall well being of Canadian children.