IMR Full Form

Infant Mortality Rate (IMR)

Mortality means death, and Infant mortality means the death of a child whose age is less than one year. There is a simple formula that decides the infant mortality rate in a population. It is calculated per 1000 live births. In simple words, what is the probability of the death of infants in 1000 live births?

Factors leading to Infant Mortality

The death of a child is excruciating before his first birthday. It is a susceptible statistical ratio that is used in determining many social developments of society all around the globe.

Every day around 67,400 children are born in India and India is also one of the leading nations in the case of Infant Mortality Rate. The leading causes of Infant Mortality Rate can be divided into two categories:

1. Maternal factors leading to IMR
2. Child factors leading to IMR

The maternal Factors leading to IMR are:

1. Age of Marriage

The age of marriage plays a vital role in determining a baby’s health. In India, the current legal age for a girl and a boy for marriage is 18 and 21 years, respectively. But, just like any other rule, it is not uncommon to bypass these standards laid down by the Government. 

The families in the rural parts of the country are uneducated and treat girls as a burden. They get their daughters married at an early age and it leads to complications in the pregnancy. In villages, there is insufficient medical care given to pregnant women, leading to the deaths of the babies. Infant Mortality is high in the country’s rural areas due to negligence, unhygienic surroundings, and lack of proper nutrition for the expecting mother.

2. Age of Mother

The mother’s age at the time of childbirth plays an essential role in determining the survival rate of an infant. Mothers who are very young and have not grown properly physically are likely to face severe complications during childbirth. Women who have babies after 35 years of age fall under high-risk pregnancy. There’s a high risk involved in the baby’s survival and in any case, it leads to the infant’s death. It is essential to have a baby at the right age.

3. Birth Order of a Baby

The order of birth is also significant. Often, first-time mothers are very young in rural areas and cannot take proper care of their children. As a result, babies die and the lack of knowledge leads to the loss of a dear one.

4. Birth Interval Between Two Children

It is essential to maintain a gap between each successive pregnancy for the sake of the health of both mother and the baby. A birth interval of fewer than 2 years can prove fatal for both the child and the mother. A woman’s body needs time to adjust after the delivery of the child and a successive pregnancy right after the first pregnancy can lead to a significant risk of death for the unborn child. It is essential to have a proper gap between each child to avoid significant complications and lessen the infant mortality rate.

5. High-Risk Births

If the above points like age of a mother and birth interval are not kept in mind during conceiving a child, the pregnancy falls under High Risk. It is widespread to have a high risk of infant mortality during or after childbirth because many complications are seen in such types of pregnancies.

Child Factors Leading To IMR

After the birth of a baby, postnatal care is equally important. The factors leading to the death of a child are:

1. Size of a child at the time of birth

The baby’s development and weight are not monitored carefully. In rural areas, monitoring is not done correctly during pregnancy. Low weight can lead to his death due to inadequate nutrition and care.

2. Nutrition

Post-birth care is also essential. Often, a woman is only taken care of until the time of pregnancy. If a child will not get proper nutrition and the mother will not be able to feed the baby properly, it can lead to the child’s untimely death.

3. Anemia

Anemia is prevalent among infants. Due to nutritional deficiencies and less intake of iron, calcium, and other essential vitamins, a child can develop anemia at a young age. An infant needs a proper and healthy meal for his growth. Any carelessness in the diet leads to illness.

4. Diarrhea

Infants with the compromised immune system and nutritional deficiencies develop diarrhea. As a result, they cannot digest and retain essential nutrients, which lead to stunted growth. In many cases, it can also lead to the death of an infant.

How can the Infant Mortality Rate be lessened?

The infant mortality rate can be lessened by following simple guidelines such as:

Mother’s Education -The expectant mother should have the proper knowledge about the growing baby and look after him properly post-delivery.

Proper Nutrition– Proper Nutrition should be provided to the baby and the mother.

Birth Interval- A birth interval of 2 years should be kept between successive pregnancies.

Conclusion

For a growing nation, it is essential to lower the infant mortality rate to have a brighter future. The infant mortality rate can be reduced by being more sensitive and careful about the reproductive health of both females and males.