Infant and neonatal mortality, reflect the impact of economic, social, and environmental conditions on the health of mothers and infants, as well as the effectiveness of health systems. Factors such as maternal education and immunisation, the quality and accessibility of antenatal and childbirth care, preterm birth and birth weight, immediate new-born care, and infant feeding practices are important determinants of infant mortality (see section “Infant and young child feeding” in Chapter 4). In addition, eliminating mother-to-child disease transmission is a priority in the LAC region to reduce infant mortality and morbidity (Debbag et al., 2023[1]).
In 2024, the infant mortality average in LAC was 14.4 deaths per 1 000 live births. Infant mortality was lower in countries such as Uruguay, Chile and Cuba (under 7 deaths per 1 000 live births), while higher in Dominican Republic, Dominica and particularly Haiti (at 28, 33, and 39 per 1 000 live births, respectively) (Figure 3.4). Between 2010 and 2024, the average infant mortality rate has fallen by 34.4% in the LAC region, with most countries experiencing declines between 20% and 50%. Haiti, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Bolivia saw declines of over 70%. However, countries like Dominica, Venezuela and Cuba experienced increases in infant mortality rate close to 30%.
Regarding neonatal mortality rates, the average in the LAC region was 10 deaths per 1 000 live births. Neonatal mortality rates were lower in countries such as Uruguay, Cuba, El Salvador and Chile (below 5 deaths per 1 000 live births), while Dominica, Haiti and Dominican Republic, recorded the highest levels, each exceeding 20 deaths per 1 000 live births (Figure 3.5). Between 2010 and 2023, neonatal mortality rate fell by 16.5% in the LAC region, with most countries showing reductions between 10% and 30%. Bolivia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and El Salvador saw declines of more than 40%. In contrast, Cuba, Grenada, Venezuela and Dominica experienced increases in neonatal mortality rates of over 35%.
Infant mortality can be reduced through cost-effective and appropriate interventions. Plans to improve newborn survival should be built on a strong foundation of essential newborn care and aligned with the Every Newborn Action Plan (ENAP) and Ending Preventable Maternal Mortality (EPMM) targets on antenatal care, postnatal care, skilled health personnel and emergency obstetric and newborn care. Increasing investment and directing resources toward two high-impact yet costly interventions, which are care for small and sick newborns and emergency obstetric care, is essential. These measures deliver multiple returns by reducing maternal deaths, stillbirths, newborn deaths, and both maternal and newborn morbidity. Key interventions essential for newborn care include skin-to-skin contact between mothers and newborns after delivery, hygienic umbilical cord and skin care, and early and exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. Effective management and treatment of neonatal infections, pneumonia, diarrhoea, and malaria are also critical. Oral rehydration therapy is a low-cost and effective intervention to mitigate the debilitating effects of diarrhoea, and countries could also implement relatively inexpensive public health measures, including immunisation and providing clean water and sanitation (WHO, 2024[2]).
