Neonatal Mortality in United States

United States

Infant mortality is a key marker of overall health of a society. Nearly two-thirds of all infant deaths occur between birth and 27 days (the neonatal period). The leading causes of neonatal mortality are:

• Premature birth.
• Low birth weight. 
• Congenital abnormalities. 
• Infections.
• Asphyxia, or not getting enough oxygen before or during birth.
• Pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia or problems with the placenta or umbilical cord.

The rate of neonatal mortality is higher among:

• Babies born to Black women compared with those born to American Indian/Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander, Hispanic white or Asian women.
• Those living in rural counties compared with those in urban counties.
• Babies born to teenagers younger than 15 compared with babies born to those ages 15-49.
• Babies born to women who received no prenatal care during their pregnancy compared with those who did.

Babies born to women who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to be born prematurely, with low birth weight and with congenital abnormalities, all of which are causes of neonatal mortality. 

A study found infants born in counties that have limited or no maternity care access experienced higher risk of neonatal and overall infant mortality compared with those in counties with full maternity care access. 

Key prenatal and postnatal strategies for reducing the risk of neonatal and infant mortality include:

• Improving access to and use of prepregnancy and prenatal care.
• Increasing access to and use of home visits for new and expecting parents to address child care topics, such as safe sleep, injury prevention, nutrition and breastfeeding, and to offer health services and support to pregnant women and new parents.
• Implementing newborn screening programs can detect conditions not readily apparent to parents or health care professionals. 
• Encouraging healthy choices during pregnancy, such as maintaining a healthy weight, managing existing health conditions and preventing infections, as well as avoiding smoking, alcohol consumption and marijuana or substance use.

Reducing the infant mortality rate is a Healthy People 2030 leading health indicator.

Ely, Danielle M. “Trends and Differences in Infant Mortality Rates in Rural and Metropolitan Counties in the United States, 2021-2023,” July 23, 2025. https://doi.org/10.15620/cdc/174609.

Ely, Danielle M., and Anne K. Driscoll. “Infant Mortality in the United States, 2024: Data from the Period Linked Birth/Infant Death File,” National Vital Statistics Reports, 75, no. 3 (June 16, 2026). https://doi.org/10.15620/cdc/252441.

Lucas, Ripley, Taylor Thames, Jazmin F. Chestnut, Andrea L. DeMaria, and Ashley Stoneburner. “Maternity Care Access and Infant Mortality.” JAMA Network Open 8, no. 11 (November 11, 2025): e2542831. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.42831.