Unit 2 Presentation Assignment – Infant Mortality Rates Mujibat Erinfolami BA Psychology, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology BA320 Developmental Psychology Dr. Washington 1/16/21

Unit 2 Presentation Assignment – Infant Mortality Rates Mujibat Erinfolami BA Psychology, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology BA320 Developmental Psychology Dr. Washington 1/16/21.

Infant Mortality Rates. In the U.S, African-American infants have a more notable mortality rate than white infants (Matoba & Collins, 2017)..

The Role of Birth Weight. An infant’s weight at birth is greatly linked to mortality risk during the first year and developmental problems during childhood and risk of different diseases during adulthood (WIlcox, 2001). Infants with low birth weight weigh less than 5 pounds 8 ounces at birth. Newborns with very low birth weight weigh less than 3 pounds 4 ounces, and newborns with extreme low birth weight weigh less than 2 pounds 3 ounces ( Santrock, 2021). Significant indicator of brain features throughout the infant’s whole life (Wilcox, 2001)..

Parental Factors. T eratogens and Hazards According to Santrock (2021) Drug exposure during pregnancy is most likely to hinder growth/problems that block organ functions. Prescriptions drugs such as asthma medications, antibiotics, and analgesics, including nonprescription drugs, may have negative effects on the fetus. Psychoactive drugs alters the consciousness, reshapes perceptions, and alters moods in the nervous system. (Ex: nicotine, alcohol, caffeine, maijuana, cocaine, and heroin. Maternal caffeine intake is associated with low birth weight and preterm birth. Abusing alcohol during pregnancy causes a bunch of problems and abnormalities in infants known as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Nicotine has negative influences on prenatal development, birth, and postnatal development such as low birth weight and preterm births, respiratory problems, fetal and newborn deaths, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) cont… Maternal Diet and Nutrition.

According to Santrock (2021). C ocaine exposure during prenatal development is associated with… length, birth weight, sand head circumference damaged network of the prefrontal cortex and thalamus in newborns damaged motor development at 2 years old and a slowed growth rate for 10 years self control problems by 12 years of age increased blood pressures by 9 years old damaged cognitive information processing and language development attention deficits (mainly impulsive behavior) learning disabilities by the age of 7 increased chances of placement in special education program with supportive services increased behavioral problems, mainly in delinquency and aggression premature use of marijuana, history of arrests, conduct disorder, and emotion control problems at 21 years old. Cont… Cont….

prenatal marijuana exposure is related to lower intelligence levels in children modifies brain functioning in the fetus preterm/low birth weight Increased chances of infant being placed in NICU increased chronic obstructive pulmonary disease rates in 4 year olds linked to marijuana use at 14 years of age (Santrock, 2021) According to Santrock (2021) Prenatal heroin displays multiple behavioral problems at birth (ex: irritability, tremors, interrupted sleep, unusual crying, and damaged motor control, attention deficiency develops later in life infants experience heroin withdrawals after birth us e of legally prescribed synthetic opioids (fentanyl, and opiate-linked pain relievers) leaves infants at an high risk of encountering withdrawals. Hazards such as toxic waste, radiation, X-ray radiation, and other chemical pollutants. Maternal diseases and infections passes the placental barricade/ causes damage during birth.(Ex: rubella, diabetes, syphillis, AIDS, and genital herpes). Cont….

According to Santrock (2021) - Advanced maternal age i s also linked to risk for negative pregnancy effects. - Pregnant woman older than 35, show high risk of giving birth to an infant with Down Syndrome. - 40 years and older experience spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, preterm birth, and fetus growth limitation. - women older than 40 years old show increased risk of offspring developing cancer in childhood. - Emotion and Stress: extreme fears, anxieties, etc.. and/or negative mood states, and physiological changes may affect fetus. -Stress influences practice of unhealthy behaviors (ex: taking drugs/getting poor prenatal care). -High levels of anxiety and stress during pregnancy can have long-term effect in infant ( ex: emotional or cognitive problems, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and language delay). -First two years of infant’s life show low levels of self-control , peer relationship problems, increased emotional symptoms, and child struggling at age of 4. -Maternal depression during pregnancy is connected to preterm birth, low birth weight in full-term infants, increased risk of depression in the child at age 18. - taking antidepressants early in pregnancy is linked to increased risk of miscarriage. - using antidepressants in 2nd or 3rd trimesters of pregnancy is associated with high risk o f au tism spectrum disorders in children. Cont….

Paternal Factors: Men’s exposure to certain pesticides, lead, radiation and petrochemicals can cause abnormalities in sperm that results in a miscarriage or diseases like childhood cancer (Santrock, 2021). Paternal age decreases the success rate of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and increases the risk of preterm birth. When father is 40 years or older there is an “increased risk of spontaneous abortion, autism, and schizophrenic disorder” increasing chances of high random gene mutation rates (Santrock, 2021)..

SOCIETAL INFLUENCES. social policies (ex: maternal leave) (Kim & Saada, 2013). neighborhood deprivation (characterized by neighborhood with high unemployment rate, low income, low education and low-paying jobs) (Kim & Saada, 2013). individual socioeconomic status (social ladder by race/ethic groups) (Kim & Saada, 2013). health behaviors determinants (ex: maternal smoking) (Kim & Saada, 2013). income inequality (income doesn’t meet cost of living- structured by social ladder) (Kim & Saada, 2013)..

Recommendations for Prenatal Care. Develop a plan for the child Set prenatal care plan with OBGYN Increase daily intake of folic acid Ensure immunizations are up to date Control diabetes and other medical conditions Avoid drug use, smoking, and drinking alcohol Maintain a healthy weight Assess both parents family health history Seek assistance for anxiety, depression and other mental health problems U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.).

CelebrateOne, The Ohio State University, and our partners, have come together and created a plan to not only reduce infant mortality in the Columbus/ Franklin County community but to eliminate all racial inequities that result in adverse birth outcomes by 2030. @CelebrateOne -- @osu -- @KelloggFoundation.

Conclusion. Infant mortality refers to the death of an infant within the first year of life and is a big sign of population health. The data points out major national infant mortality trends and demographic differences within t he United States. Result show that African-American infants have shown notably higher mortality than white infants due to socioeconomic factors, social influences, stress, parental factors, income inequality, neighborhood influences and lack of resources available to them. It’s critical to provide resources and benefits to women in neighborhoods of poverty and low-income areas that lack resources to prenatal care. Set standard policies that will eliminate institutionalized racism. Offer free education course to pregnant women, enlighten their care with eligibility in WIC programs and ensure the mother’s participation while in prenatal care. Incorporating these plans will ensure reduction in infant mortality rate..

References. Kim, D., & Saada, A. (2013). The social determinants of infant mortality and birth outcomes in Western developed nations: a cross-country systematic review. International journal of environmental research and public health , 10 (6), 2296–2335. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph10062296 Matoba, N., & Collins, J. W. J. (2017). Racial disparity in infant mortality. Seminars in Perinatology , 41 (6), 354–359. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.semperi.2017.07.003 Santrock, J. W. (2021). Life-span development (18th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). What is prenatal care and why is it important? Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Retrieved January 17, 2022, from https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/pregnancy/conditioninfo/prenatal-care Wilcox A. J. (2001). On the importance--and the unimportance--of birthweight. International journal of epidemiology , 30 (6), 1233–1241. https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/30.6.1233.