Unit 2: Infant Mortality:Leading Causes

2011: Infant mortality 6.05/1000 births

2006: Infant mortality rate: 6.69/1000 births

The good news: Infant mortality rates are improving

Recent Trend in Infant Mortality, United States

Recent Trend in Infant Mortality, United States

Source: State Center for Health Statistics

In 2005, the US ranked 30th in infant mortality.

DISPARITY: (dis-par-i-ty) literally means inequality.

In health, for example, it can refer to an inequality of access to and quality of health care among people of different races or ethnicities or people living in different geographical areas.

There are two major DISPARITIES recognized in Infant Mortality

GeographicalRace/Ethnicity

The two often co-occur

Look at the maps and charts that follow to better understand disparities in infant mortality.

Recent Trend in Infant Mortality, United States 2011

Recent Trend in Infant Mortality, U.S. Percent Change 2005 - 2010

Infant Mortality Rates by race and ethnicity

Infant Mortality Rates by race and ethnicity% change 2005 - 2011

Top 5 causes of infant mortality

Low Birth Weight Defined

Low Birth Weight - infants completing 37 weeks gestation and weighing less than 2500 grams at birth.

Very Low Birth Weight - infants completing 37 weeks gestation and weighing less than 1500 grams at birth.

Low Birth Weight, U. Sless than 2500 grams (5 1/2 pounds)

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Low Birth Weight, U. Sless than 2500 grams (5 1/2 pounds)

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Preterm Birth Rates as a Function of Maternal Age

Preterm Birth Rates as a Function of Race of Mother

Birth Defect

An abnormality of structure, function or body chemistry, whether genetically determined or the result of environmental interference.

It may to present at birth or appear later in life.

Overview of birth defects

1 in 33 babies are born with birth defects

Malformations or genetic abnormalities cause 7-20% of stillbirths

Chromosomal abnormalities cause up to 70% of first-trimester miscarriages and 20% of second-trimester miscarriages

10,500 deaths per year

30% of all pediatric admissions

Major factors responsible for birth defects

Chromosomal abnormalities - either number or alignment

Abnormalities of individual genes - truly inherited, includes blood disorders and in-born errors of metabolism

Intrauterine injury - caused by a teratogenic agent, naturally occurring or environmentally induced

Multifactorial circumstances - environmental factors acting on a genetically predisposed embryo

What are chromosomes?

Chromosomes are tiny string-like structures in cells of the body. Composed of coiled DNA that contains the estimated 20,000  to 25,000 human gene pairs that determine traits like eye and hair color, as well as direct the growth and development of every part of our physical and biochemical systems.

Each person normally has 23 pairs of chromosomes, or 46 in all. We normally inherit one chromosome per pair from our mother and one from our father.

Where are Genes?

What are genes?

•A sequence of nitrogen bases within the DNA strands.

•Basic unit of inheritance.

•Determines both the structure and function of the organism.

Allele: one member of a pair of genes (small pieces of DNA) located at a specific spot on a chromosome.

We inherit two alleles for each gene: one from each parent

The expression of traits is associated with alleles

GENES

Protein Construction

Four nitrogen bases code for the construction of all proteins in the cytoplasm of the cell.

In order for the codes to be made operational, several steps occur:1.Transcription of mRNA by DNA in cell nucleus

2.mRNA moves to cytoplasm to direct protein synthesis

3.tRNA brings AA’s for placement in protein chain (Translation)

Four nitrogen bases code for the construction of all proteins in the cytoplasm of the cell.

In order for the codes to be made operational, several steps occur:1.Transcription of mRNA by DNA in cell nucleus

2.mRNA moves to cytoplasm to direct protein synthesis

3.tRNA brings AA’s for placement in protein chain (Translation)

Dominant:

Recessive

Co-dominate

Sex-linked

Some genetic disorders caused by genetic mutations

One mutated copy of gene is all that is needed to affect someone.

Two mutated copies of gene needed to affect someone

X-linked: genes on X chromosome

Two different versions of gene expressed as in the AB blood type (this is not a disorder)