A study on NEC infant mortality in the United States has found that while the gap has decreased over the last 20 years, black infant mortality rates in 2020 were still significantly higher.
The research study published recently in JAMA Open Network took a deep dive into more than 90 million births from 1999 to 2020. It evaluated all infant deaths up to 1 year of age with the underlying cause of necrotizing enterocolitis.
The results were staggering. In 2020, white infant mortality rates sat at 6.4 per 100,000 live births compared to 16.1 for black infants. In short, black infants were 2.5 times more likely to die of NEC.
In 1999, black infants were 4.2 times more likely to die from NEC, meaning the black-to-white infant mortality ratio has decreased over time. The study, however, did not examine what has caused this gap to narrow.
The overall infant mortality rate for non-Hispanic black/African Americans hovers at 2.4 times that of non-Hispanic whites, according to the Office of Minority Health. They are also almost 4 times as likely to die from complications related to low birth weight.
Necrotizing enterocolitis is a serious gastrointestinal condition characterized by inflammation and infection in the intestinal lining. It can lead to severe complications including holes in the intestine and tissue death and is seen primarily in premature infants.
According to the study, 8951 infants died of NEC over the 21-year research period. By state, Mississippi had the highest infant mortality rates, and Iowa had the lowest.
NEC affects approximately 1 in every 1000 infants worldwide, with 70% of cases occurring in infants born before 36 weeks. Of the premature infants who develop NEC, mortality ranges from 10% to 50%.
NEC is a leading cause of illness and infant mortality in the United States. While the cause of the condition is not fully understood, cow’s milk-based formulas have been linked to the disease for over 30 years. Many NEC lawsuits have been filed in recent years against manufacturing giants Abbott Laboratories and Mead Johnson & Co, the makers of Similac and Enfamil baby formulas.