Infant Mortality Increased in 2005

Costa Rica’s infant-mortality rate increased between 2004 and last year, according to a statement from the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC).

In 2004, there were 9.25 deaths for every 1,000 live births in Costa Rica, and in 2005 the number of deaths grew to 9.78 per 1,000 live births.

In 2005, the eastern province of Cartago showed the highest infant-mortality rate with 12.39 deaths for every 1,000 births, while the Alajuela province, northwest of San José, reported the lowest rate with 7.71 deaths per 1,000 births.

Infant mortality is “an epidemiological and demographic indicator that reflects the living conditions of the population,” according to the statement.

The main causes of death among infants are problems originating in the perinatal period, the statement said, most of which are respiratory and cardiovascular disorders (48.43%), followed by gestational and fetal growth disorders (17.40%).