An infant mortality rate simply calculates how many infants pass away every year. This can happen just because the birthing process is difficult and relatively dangerous. It can also happen when medical professionals make a mistake.
Regardless of the reason, it’s important for those living in Louisiana to note that this state has the second-highest infant mortality rate in the country. Studies have found that the rate in Louisiana is 7.53 deaths for every 1,000 infants that are born. The only state that has a higher infant mortality rate is nearby Mississippi, where it clocks in at 8.27 deaths for every 1,000 babies.
On the other side of the spectrum, the state with the lowest infant mortality rate is Vermont. There were only 18 total infant deaths in the latest study, which is nearly a 0% mortality rate. Right above Vermont is California, where the rate is 3.69 per 1,000 infants.
Why does this happen?
There are numerous reasons for high mortality rates, and you have to consider things like barriers to proper healthcare or nutrition. There are also many cases when medical professionals make mistakes. For instance, a doctor who doesn’t properly monitor the baby’s vital signs during labor could miss obvious indicators that the baby is in distress. They could then put off a C-section for too long. This is just one way that a medical oversight could prove fatal.
If something like this has happened to you, it’s a very difficult time for your family. You need to know about all of the legal options at your disposal.
