Influence of maternal ethnicity on infant mortality in Chicago, 1989-1996

This study compared infant mortality rates between large ethnic groups in C hicago from 1989-1996. Infant mortality information about ethnic groups was compared using data from annual reports published by the Epidemiology Prog ram, Department of Public Health, City of Chicago and vital statistics docu ments in Illinois, which include information on ethnicity. Chi-squared anal ysis was used to evaluate the differences between the proportions. A P valu e of <.05 was considered significant. During the study period, there were 461,974 births and 6407 infant deaths i n Chicago. African Americans contributed 212,926 (46.1%) births and 4387 (6 8.5%) deaths; Hispanics 132,787 (28.7%) births and 1166 (18.2%) deaths; and whites 99,532 (21.6%) births and 780 (12.2%) infant deaths. Compared with the other groups, African Americans suffered a twofold increased mortality [P<.00001) for five of the six most common causes of infant mortality. Deat hs from congenital malformations, although significant, were not excessivel y increased among African Americans (P=.014). Hispanics demonstrated a high er mortality rate than whites (P=.01), especially for postnatal mortality a nd respiratory distress syndrome. These data confirm excessive infant morta lity among African Americans. Further studies are needed to evaluate the ap parent low mortality among some Hispanics compared with the other groups st udied.