Recent Change in Infant Mortality Trend

FOR MANY YEARS the rapid annual decline in infant mortality was noted with considerable satisfaction by health au¬ thorities.Because of this continuing decline, the increases in the infant mortality rate in 1957-58 have been viewed with some concern.No specific factors or disease outbreaks have been identified wholly to account for these rises in infant mortality.At the request of the Children's Bureau, an examination of available information on infant mortality was made.It would appear from this study that there has been a basic change in the infant mortality trend beginning about 1949 or 1950.The events of the past few years served more to call attention to a prob¬ lem which apparently had its genesis some years ago.