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Crude birth rate hits all-time low
In 2011, the crude birth rate was the lowest ever reported in the United States, according to findings in a report published online.
According to data from the annual summary of vital statistics for 2010-2011, the crude birth rate was at 12.7 births per 1,000 population, which is down 1% from 2010 and 4% from 2009. Data for the report were obtained from vital records for all residents in all US states and the District of Columbia.
Researchers said birth rates declined among women aged 15 to 29 years. Adolescents (aged 15 to 19 years) giving birth decreased by 8% from 2010 to 2011, which is a historic low for the United States, equivalent to 31.3 births per 1,000 women. Women aged 20 to 24 years giving birth and 25- to 29-year-olds giving birth also decreased to 85.3 births per 1,000 women and 107.2 per 1,000 women, respectively.
The birth rate of women aged 30 to 34 years remained unchanged from 2010 to 2011, at 96.5 births per 1,000 women. However, researchers said there were increases in the birth rates of women aged 35 to 39 years and 40 to 44 years by 3% and 1%, respectively.
Multiple birth rates also decreased, according to the latest available data from 2010. The twin birth rate declined to 33.1 twins per 1,000 total births from 33.2 in 2009, and the triplet and higher multiples rate was 137.6 per 100,000 total births, a 10% decrease from 2009.
Researchers said the preterm birth rate was down for the fifth straight year, to 11.72%. Low birth rate also made a slight decline in 2011, from 8.15% to 8.1%.
The total number of births to unmarried women declined by 2% in 2011, and the amount of all births to unmarried women was 40.7%, according to researchers. In 2011, unmarried women aged 15 to 19 years accounted for 18% of all nonmarital births, the lowest ever reported.
In 2011, 23,910 infant deaths were reported in the United States, according to preliminary data, with approximately two-thirds of infant deaths occurring during the neonatal period. More than half (56.4%) of all infant deaths were attributable to five leading causes: congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities (20.8%); disorders related to short gestation and low birth weight, not elsewhere classified (17.2%); sudden infant death syndrome (7.2%); newborn affected by maternal complications of pregnancy (6.6%); and accidents (unintentional injuries; 4.6%).
The death rate for children and adolescents (aged 1 to 19 years) was 25.6 per 100,000 population in 2011 and was not significantly different from 25.8 in 2010.
The leading causes of death for children and adolescents (aged 1 to 19 years) in 2011 were accidents (35.6%) and homicide (11.4%).
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
