Unfortunately, the reasons for the relatively high rates of infant mortality in the United States remain unknown. The United States has one of the most advanced medical care systems in the world, superbly trained medical care providers, and nearly universal access to medical care for pregnant women. It seems incongruous that, compared with newborns in other countries, so many more American infants die. Paradoxically, the United States is unsurpassed in its ability to rescue the very smallest infants. However, these successful rescue efforts are often associated with significant long-term health and developmental problems among survivors which limit their opportunities to lead full and productive lives.
New analyses show that the economic costs of low birth weight infants are staggering.
Infant mortality and low birth weight are major problems in the United States, yet these areas receive relatively little attention. The annual direct costs of low birth weight are two to three times that of the direct costs of AIDS among persons of all ages. Unfortunately, the success of these two strategies has been mixed. The development, refinement, and availability of neonatal intensive care have been credited with saving the lives of many infants. Today, the United States is unsurpassed in its ability to rescue the very tiniest infants.