A new study reveals alarming racial disparities in infant mortality rates due to congenital heart disease (CHD). Presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics 2024 National Conference & Exhibition, the research found that Black infants are 40% more likely to die from CHD than White infants.
The study, which analyzed data from over 60 million live births between 2005 and 2019, showed that while overall infant mortality rates for CHD decreased by 25.2%, the gap between Black and White infants remained unchanged. Black infants consistently faced higher mortality rates throughout both the neonatal and post-neonatal periods.
Lead author Kwadwo Danso, MBChB, stated, “The death rate in white infants decreased significantly but the rate in Black infants did not. Overall, we also found that Black infants died from these abnormal heart structures at a rate that was 1.4 times that of white infants.”
This persistent disparity raises critical questions about healthcare access, quality of care, and socioeconomic factors affecting minority communities. The findings have significant implications for minority women, particularly expectant mothers, who may face increased risks during pregnancy and after childbirth.
Danso emphasized the need for further research to understand the underlying causes of these disparities. “Our findings may have implications for patient care and public health policy by serving as a foundation for additional studies to determine the drivers behind these disparities,” he said.
The study highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions and policy changes to address racial inequalities in infant healthcare and improve outcomes for all children, regardless of race.
See “Study finds Black infants with heart abnormalities more likely to die within first year” (September 27, 2024)
