Infant Mortality

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Infant mortality is defined as the death of a child under the age of one year.

The top three causes of infant mortality in Summit County are:

• Premature birth – birth of baby more than 3 weeks before estimated due date.
• Congenital anomalies – genetic diagnoses, exposure to medications/chemicals/other agents during pregnancy, heart defects, etc.
• External injuries – accidental strangulation and suffocation in bed (ASSB).

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What is Safe Sleep?

Putting baby to sleep in ways that can help protect him/her from dangers, such as choking, suffocation, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

What is Unsafe Sleep?

Anything in the caretaker’s control that could increase an infant’s risk of sleep-related death.

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Putting unsafe sleep deaths into perspective, statewide in Ohio there are 3 unsafe sleep deaths each week, which equates to ~150 infant unsafe sleep deaths per year.

45% of those that were due to an infant sleeping in an adult bed (co-sleeping).

Between 2020-2023, there were over 200 babies who died before their first birthday in Summit and Mahoning County, combined. The majority of those families were either co-sleeping with their babies in bed, or in the care of someone other the parent/primary caregiver who was not aware of safe sleep practices.

The infant mortality rate in Summit County and Mahoning County displays significant racial disparities. Data shows in Summit County, Black/Non-Hispanic babies die at 2.8 times the rate of White/Non-Hispanic babies, and in Mahoning County, Black /Non-Hispanic babies die at 4.3 times the rate of White/Non-Hispanic babies (2020-2023).

Our efforts at ACH are focused on all races and ethnicities, but there is special attention being placed on our African American mothers, who are losing their babies at a much higher rate.

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Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

What is it?
SIDS is the unexplained death, usually during sleep, of a seemingly healthy baby less than one year old.

Although SIDS is not always due unsafe sleep, it can include factors such as sleeping position, sleeping surface, and sleeping environment.

What are the risk factors?

Age: SIDS is most common for babies between 1 and 4 months. But it can happen at any time during the first year of life.

Time of year: Infants born around the colder months are at a disadvantage because as parents, we want to ensure our babies are comfortable when they’re sleeping – it’s just our natural instinct. So, during the winter, when the temperature is lower, babies are more likely to have blankets in their sleeping environment, which is a red flag for safe sleep practices.

Health status: Premature babies are at a higher risk due to their health status as well, and may have other compromising conditions that could attribute to SIDS (respiratory issues, heart complications, etc.).

Race: Black babies are 2.5-3 times more likely to die due to SIDS and this does not take into account any other type of disparity such as education level, marital status, or socioeconomic status.

How can I reduce my baby’s risk of SIDS?

• Follow safe sleep practices
• Don’t smoke around baby
• Breastfeed baby, if possible
• Make sure yourbaby receives all necessary vaccinations

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