Report: Indiana seeing fewer babies with low birth weight

With 7.6 deaths for every 1,000 live births in Indiana in 2012 — one of the country's worst rates, according to the KIDS COUNT Data Book report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation — the number of babies with low birth weight is decreasing significantly statewide and locally. Short gestation and low birth weight — less than 5.5 pounds — is the leading cause of death for infants under 1 year old among all races.

In Lake County, the percentage of babies with low birth weight decreased from 9.8 percent to 8.5 percent between 2009 and 2013. The percentage went up — from 7.2 percent to 7.5 percent — in Porter County during the same time period. Statewide, the rate was 7.9 percent — just a tick below the national average of 8 percent.

In Lake County, the infant mortality rate is 9.8, and among black infants in Indiana, the rate is 14.85 percent. Nationally, the infant mortality rate is 6.1 deaths per 1,000 live births.

Since 2009, infant deaths in Lake County are down slightly — from 53 to 51 in 2013. Statewide the decrease is slightly larger: 675 to 594. In Porter County, the number of infant deaths were static at 11.

Doreen Norris-Stojak, Methodist Hospitals' director of women and children services, said since Methodist started participating in the March of Dimes' 39 Week Initiative, it's seen positive results.

"The 39 Week Initiative aims to eliminate elective deliveries," Norris-Stojak said. "It has had dramatic effect on us. We've seen (neonatal intensive care unit) admissions decline, and it's made a huge impact.

"At Methodist, we have that as a standard for all moms; it doesn't matter who your insurance carrier is, if it's not medically indicated."

Other top causes of infant mortality include sudden infant death syndrome, congenital anomalies and accidents.

Dr. Valentin Drezaliu, an obstetrician/gynecologist with the Methodist Physician Group, said the guidelines were based on a large review study that found babies suffer fewer complications if they are born after 39 weeks.

"Even after 39 weeks, the consensus is moms should wait to deliver until they are full term," Drezaliu said. "This really shows the effect of the new guidelines."

In addition, Methodist and other hospitals actively promote the Back to Sleep initiative, which aims to educate parents about unsafe sleep positioning — accounting for 15 percent of infant deaths in Indiana.

Norris-Stojak said parents are given a book at discharge that focuses on laying babies on their backs, alone in a crib, which must be emptied of pillows, blankets and other objects that can cause suffocation.

Drezaliu said preventing preterm labor is a big concern for expectant mothers.

"It brings to attention how important accessing care is as soon as a woman finds out she's pregnant," Drezaliu said. "There are so many things we can do to prevent preterm labor, including eating healthy. We have a very strong OB service, and our nurses are all for educating moms; it can really make a difference in terms of emotional support."

Methodist has also worked to improve infant and maternity health by offering prenatal education classes, making lactation consultants available to moms, and offering classes to prepare healthy meals.

Lake County has also seen a precipitous decline in the number of births for moms between 15 and 19 years old. Since 2009, it's decreased from 46.3 percent to 30.1 percent in 2013. In Porter County, the rate has dipped from 21.7 percent to 18.6 percent in the same period.