Infant mortality is defined as death occurring during the first year of life. In the U.S. for every 1,000 babies born, 6 die during their first year. The leading causes of infant mortality are birth defects, preterm birth, low birth weight, and SIDS. Fortunately, most newborns grow and thrive. The U.S. has experienced an all-time low infant mortality rate, but the U.S. still ranks 27^th among industrialized nations. Despite a reduction in infant mortality rates since 1988, North Carolina still exceeds the national average and is ranked 42nd in the country for infant mortality.

Significant disparities persist in the death rate of infants by race and ethnicity. In the U.S. the infant mortality rate among African American infants is more than twice that of non-Hispanic whites and the rate is 60% higher among American Indian/Alaska Native infants compared to non-Hispanic whites. In North Carolina the infant mortality rate for African American babies is 2.5 times higher than for non-Hispanic white babies. Of further concern in North Carolina is the increased infant mortality rate among Latino infants.

Although infant mortality is influenced by a number of issues–a woman’s health remains the most important factor. This is why preconception health is so critical! Below are two resources through the Center that are designed to promote preconception health:
Before, Between and Beyond Pregnancy is designed to be a “one stop” resource for clinicians and others who want to learn more about preconception health, its history, the evidence supporting it and strategies for incorporating relevant content into daily clinical practice.
Show Your Love is a national campaign designed to promote well-being and support young women and men strive to achieve their goals and make healthy lifestyle choices today.

The death of a baby is a devastating reality for many families. The following organizations may provide support to those individuals and families who have experienced the loss of a baby:
UNC Perinatal Loss Support Group
Share- Pregnancy Infant Loss & Support
First Candle
The Compassionate Friends

The Center is committed to reducing the infant mortality rate in North Carolina  by working to reduce health disparities, helping women with high-risk pregnancies and families with medically fragile infants to navigate a complex health care system, and by providing leadership to several important public health campaigns across the state.

Sources:
CDC 
Office of Minority Health
North Carolina Healthy Start Foundation

The post September is Infant Mortality Awareness Month appeared first on UNC Collaborative for Maternal & Infant Health.

 Despite these observations, very little is known regarding the risks of Zika virus infection during pregnancy. Click here for more information about Zika from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including symptoms, diagnoses, treatment, prevention, and specific information for pregnant women.

Zika Pregnancy Registry:   CDC has created the Zika Pregnancy Registry to ensure complete and accurate case reporting and to develop more comprehensive information on the effects of Zika infections during pregnancy. The North Carolina Division of Public Health (NC DPH) is currently working with CDC to enroll all pregnant women with positive or indeterminate Zika virus test results in the Pregnancy Registry.

Click here to find national and North Carolina specific provider information regarding testing and the Zika Pregnancy Registry.

Surveillance and Reporting:  Physicians and laboratories are required to report suspected or confirmed Zika virus infections. Please contact the North Carolina Communicable Disease Branch at 919-733-3419 or your local health department if Zika virus infection is suspected and for questions related to the Pregnancy Registry.

Testing for Zika: Testing for Zika virus is available at the State Laboratory of Public Health and is now also available commercially. Approval is required for submission of specimens to the State Laboratory of Public Health. Please contact the Communicable Disease Branch at 919-733-3419 or your local health department to facilitate testing. If the state or local health department is not immediately available, consider collecting the appropriate specimens from the patient and holding them pending approval.

Testing for Zika virus is available at:
NC SLPH: http://slph.ncpublichealth.com/zika/default.asp
Quest Diagnostics: http://www.questdiagnostics.com/home/professional-specialty-identified.html

Contact the NCSLPH at 919-807-8600 prior to any shipment to the SLPH or if you have additional questions.
Address all specimen shipments as follows:
Attention: Virology/Serology Unit
North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health
4312 District Drive
Raleigh, NC 27607

The post Zika Virus: State and National Information for Providers appeared first on UNC Collaborative for Maternal & Infant Health.