State of South Dakota's Child: 2024

Abstract

There was a slight decrease (n=23) in the 11,170 live births in South Dakota between 2022 and 2023 with the state's birth rate falling to its lowest rate (12.2 per 1,000 population) in its recorded history. The state's percentage of American Indian, Black and Other (AIBO) live born infants is declining and currently comprises 21% (down from 25% in 2017) of the 2023 birth cohort with American Indians decreasing in their respective contribution to it as diversity of newborns is increasing. Though lower than observed nationally, the state's newborns with birth weights of 1,500 to 2,499 grams are also increasing. In 2023, AIBO, compared to White newborns, have a higher percent of very low birth weight (2% vs 1%) and mid low birth weight (7% vs 6%). First trimester prenatal care is used by over 80% of White pregnant women but only 53% of AIBO pregnant women for whom 8% received no prenatal care. In 2023, there was a decrease in the state's infant mortality rate from 7.8 to 6.4 (deaths per 1,000 live births 0 to 364 days of life) with declines noted in both the neonatal (0 to 27days of life) and the post neonatal (28-364 days of life) period. Between the years 2019-2023, the state's rates of death for AIBO infants in the neonatal and post neonatal periods were significantly higher than these rates for White infants. Contributing to this observation are higher AIBO than White rates of infant deaths for perinatal causes, congenital anomalies, sudden unexpected infant death (SUID). The racial disparity in infant mortality has recently become more apparent, especially in the post neonatal period when SUIDs are the leading cause of death.