Sudden infant death syndrome and postneonatal mortality in immigrants in England and Wales

Abstract

To examine ethnic differences in postneonatal mortality and the incidence of sudden infant death in England and Wales during 1982-5 records were analysed, the mother's country of birth being used to determine ethnic group. Postneonatal mortality was highest in infants of mothers born in Pakistan (6.4/1000 live births) followed by infants of mothers born in the Caribbean (4.5) and the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (4.1). Crude rates were lower in infants of mothers born in India (3.9/1000), east and west Africa (3.0), and Bangladesh (2.8) than in infants of mothers born in the United Kingdom despite less favourable birth weights. Mortality ratios standardised separately for maternal age, parity, and social class were significantly higher in infants of mothers born in Pakistan and lower in those of mothers born in Bangladesh. The ratio for infants of Caribbean mothers was significantly higher when adjusted for maternal age. Ratios for infants of Indian and east African mothers did not show significant differences after standardisation. An important finding was a low incidence of sudden infant death in infants of Asian origin. This was paralleled by lower mortality from respiratory causes. During 1975-85 postneonatal mortality in all immigrant groups except Pakistanis fell to a similar or lower rate than that in the United Kingdom group; Pakistanis showed a persistent excess. During 1984-5 several immigrant groups (from the Republic of Ireland, India, west Africa, and the Caribbean) recorded an increase in postneonatal mortality. Surveillance of postneonatal mortality among ethnic communities should be continued, and research is needed to identify the causes underlying the differences.