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Narrowing of Sex Differences in Infant Mortality in Massachusetts

Journal of Perinatology volume 24, pages 94–99 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To examine whether the improved survival of preterm infants has influenced the known male excess in infant mortality.

STUDY DESIGN: We analyzed sex-specific infant mortality using linked birth and death certificates for all 619,811 live born infants in Massachusetts between 1989 and 1995.

RESULTS: Between 1989 and 1995 the male excess in infant mortality decreased by 50%, from 1.6/1000 to 0.8/1000 live births (LB). This narrowing resulted primarily from a more rapid decline in neonatal mortality among male infants (1.5/1000 LB) than among female infants (0.9/1000 LB). The largest declines in the male excess in neonatal mortality occurred among very premature infants (GA ≤ 30 weeks) and resulted primarily from a more rapid decrease in male deaths from respiratory distress syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS: The narrowing of the sex difference in mortality between 1989 and 1995 suggests that newer treatments like antenatal steroids, and surfactants may have differentially benefited male infants.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Maternal and Child Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA

    Urmi Bhaumik MBBS, DSc & Iain Aitken MBBChir, MPH

  2. Boston Public Health Commission, Boston, MA, USA

    Urmi Bhaumik MBBS, DSc

  3. Department of Health and Social Behavior, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA

    Ichiro Kawachi MD, PhD

  4. Joint Program in Neonatalogy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Steve Ringer MD, PhD

  5. Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    John Orav PhD

  6. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Perinatal Research, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Ellice Lieberman MD, DrPH

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  1. Urmi Bhaumik MBBS, DSc
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  2. Iain Aitken MBBChir, MPH
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  3. Ichiro Kawachi MD, PhD
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  6. Ellice Lieberman MD, DrPH
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Bhaumik, U., Aitken, I., Kawachi, I. et al. Narrowing of Sex Differences in Infant Mortality in Massachusetts. J Perinatol 24, 94–99 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211021

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211021

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