Infant Mortality in St. Johns County
St. Johns Infant Mortality Task Force Background
The St. Johns Infant Mortality Task Force was formed in March 2006 in response to an increase in the rate of infant
deaths. Infant mortality is a key indicator of the well-being of the community and population health as it is associated with
education, economic development and availability of health services. Based on up-to-date local maternal and infant data,
the St. Johns County Infant Mortality Task Force implements education campaigns and initiatives aimed at decreasing the
infant mortality rate, improving birth outcomes and engaging our community in this issue.
Births in St. Johns County
An average of 1,800 babies are born in St. Johns County each year. The majority of these birth are to mothers between the
ages of 25-34, 70 percent are married and 86 percent are white. This past year, maternal risk factors identified for poor
birth outcomes included: 8.1 percent smoked during pregnancy (compared to 7.1 percent statewide), 21 percent with interpregnancy intervals of less than 18 months (compared to 20.9 percent statewide) and greater than a third with overweight
or obese BMIs (35.5 percent in St. Johns, 41.5 percent statewide).
Infant Mortality in St. Johns County
The St. Johns County infant mortality rate – the death of infants under age one – in 2010 was 4.4 deaths per 1000 live
births. This infant mortality rate represents a continuing decline and one that is lower than the state and national average.
St. Johns County on average has more fetal deaths per year than infant deaths -- 64 fetal deaths compared to 53 infant
deaths from 2005-2010. The leading causes of infant deaths from 200-2010 are noted in the table below.
Infant Mortality – Leading Causes of Infant Death (2005-2010)
30.0%
22.6%
25.0%
18.8%
13.2%
7.5%
7.5%
10.0%
5.6%
5.6%
5.0%
3.7%
3.7%
3.7%
3.7%
1.8%
1.8%
Bacterial Sepsis
15.0%
Hematological disorders
20.0%
Unintentional injuries
Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Atelectasis
Chronic Respiratory
Disease originating in the
perinatal period
Other complications of
L&D
Complications of the
placenta, cord and
membranes
Other
Maternal complications of
pregnancy
Disorders related to short
gestation & low birth
weight
Congenital Malformations,
Deformations &
Chromosomal
Abnormalities
Sudden Unexplained Infant
Deaths (sleep-related)
0.0%
Source: Florida Charts, 2005-2010
While they have a different profile than typical women with losses within Florida and specifically the northeast region, St
Johns County mothers with fetal & infant losses do reflect the makeup of St Johns county. They are:

Typically white (80 percent)

Married (60 percent)

College educated (43.2 percent with some college)

30 percent self reported substance abuse (tobacco, alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamines)
Safe Sleep
Sudden Unexplained Infant Deaths (SUIDS) accounted for 18.8 percent of all infant deaths (compared to 15 percent
statewide). These sleep-related deaths are often preventable through education about safe sleep techniques. What leads to
these sleep-related deaths? Risk factors identified in St Johns County sleep related deaths included:

Second-hand smoke (86 percent)

Improper bedding (bedsharing, not in infant bed, not on back and had unsafe items) (57 percent)
Source: 2005-2009 Northeast Florida Fetal & Infant Mortality Review
Infant Mortality by Zip Code (Count & Rate) 2005-2010
County Infant Mortality Rate: 4.4 deaths per 1000 live births (2010)