According to Population Reference Bureau, Costa Rica has one of the lowest infant mortality in Latin America. IMR or infant mortality rate is the number of child deaths for every one thousand live births.
According to the 2011 data provided by the PRB, Costa Rica’s IMR at 8.8, which is the sixth lowest in 37 Latin American and Caribbean Countries listed. It is also the lowest value in the isthmus, which
The Instituto de Estadistica y Censo or INEC reports infant death has reduced from 2010’s 671 to last year’s 666. Good prenatal care, proper management of high-risk pregnancies, the promotion of breast feeding and faithfully followed immunization has positively aided in the maintaining and lowering infant mortality. Better training and of medical practitioners and up-to-date equipment also had a positive effect in lowering the country’s IMR.
The Chief of neonatology at the Hospital de la Mujer, Alicia Boza, has stated that this number can still be lowered by the synergy of the medical and social field. Good health care and promoting social awareness to lessen teen pregnancy would further lessen infant mortality.
The chief culprit of infant mortality in Costa Rica is complications during the perinatal period, accounting for almost half of deaths. This is seconded by congenital defects.
