Metadata: Infant Mortality

Indicators

Infant mortality – death rate within the first year of life
Neonatal mortality – death rate within the first 28 days of life
Early neonatal mortality – death rate within the first 7 days of life

Numerator

Deaths from all causes within the respective period of life registered as occurring in respective calendar year
Source of data – National Centre for Health Outcomes Development (NCHOD)
Data extracted 20/09/08

Denominator

All live births occurring in the relevant year
Source of data – Office of National Statistics (ONS) – downloaded from internet to WMPHO
Data downloaded 20/06/08

Data years – calendar years

2006
2004-2006
Later years to be added as they become available

Interpretation

Infant mortality is predominantly an indicator of the health of new born babies. It is thus influenced by health in pregnancy and maternity care. The majority of infant deaths are neonatal deaths and the majority of neonatal deaths are early neonatal deaths.

Statistical methods

Analysis performed by NCHOD
Number of deaths in relevant period divided by Number of live births in the year expressed per 1000 live births.

Quality of indicator

Registration of deaths and births is virtually complete.

Targets and National Indicators

PSA as part of objective to reduce inequalities.
Starting with children under one year by 2010 to reduce by at least 10% the gap in mortality between “routine and manual” groups and the population as a whole.

Timeliness

Births and Deaths are continuously registered. Annual compilations are issued approximately 9 months in arrears.

Further notes

West Midlands has a higher infant mortality rate than any other English region. Reducing infant mortality rate in the Region therefore has a high priority.