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More than 20,000 babies died in the United States in 2022, a 3% increase from the year before. After decades of steady progress, the nation’s infant death rate is rising again.
These figures come from the most recent finalized data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Every year, the CDC publishes national infant death rates based on birth and death certificates. For families, infant death and preventable birth injuries are not just numbers, and the risk is not the same for everyone.
The death rate for Black infants is more than double the rate for White infants.
Each loss represents a baby who didn’t get the chance to grow up, and parents left grieving and without answers.
In some cases, those deaths may have been preventable. When hospitals fail to follow basic safety protocols during labor, delivery, or newborn care, the outcome can be devastating.
Some families are told that nothing could have been done, only to later learn that key warning signs were missed or care was delayed.
If you are facing the loss of a newborn or living with the effects of a birth injury, taking legal action may help your family get financial compensation and justice.
See if you qualify with a free case review.
Infant Mortality Is Rising After Years of Progress
In 2022, a total of 20,577 American babies died before their first birthday. This means the infant mortality rate rose to 5.61 deaths per 1,000 live births — a 3.3% increase and the first uptick in decades, according to the CDC.
Here’s a look at infant mortality in the United States over time:
- 1950: The U.S. ranked among the top 10 countries with the lowest infant death rates.
- 1995–2021: The U.S. saw a steady decline in infant mortality.
- 2021: The rate was 5.44 deaths per 1,000 live births.
- 2022: The rate increased to 5.61.
- 2023: The U.S. dropped to an estimated 54th place in global rankings.
For many experts, this rise in deaths is not just a statistic — it’s a warning sign. Families deserve better care, and the system must do more to protect newborns during labor, delivery, and beyond.
Who Is Most at Risk of Losing a Baby?
In many parts of the U.S., families lack access to consistent, reliable health care. Rural hospitals are closing, and providers are often stretched thin.
In lower-income areas, parents may be forced to rely on overworked doctors, outdated equipment, and fewer trained specialists.
These gaps increase the chances of medical malpractice, and in the most serious cases, the death of a newborn. Learn about who’s more at risk below.
Infant Death Rate By State
Where a family lives can impact a baby’s chances of survival. States with fewer resources, weaker health care systems, or larger rural populations tend to have higher infant death rates.
The highest infant death rates were in Southern and Midwestern states, according to the CDC.
These are the top 5 states by rate and number of infant deaths:
- Mississippi: 9.11 deaths per 1,000 live births (316 deaths)
- South Dakota: 7.77 deaths per 1,000 (87 deaths)
- Arkansas: 7.67 deaths per 1,000 (272 deaths)
- Delaware: 7.49 deaths per 1,000 (81 deaths)
- Louisiana: 7.37 deaths per 1,000 (416 deaths)
These numbers point to deep and ongoing gaps in access to quality care and hospital accountability. Some families simply aren’t given the same chance to bring their babies home safely.
Infant Death Rate By Race and Ethnicity
Some communities experience significantly higher infant death rates than others, and the differences often reflect broader patterns of unequal care, racism in medicine, and systemic disadvantage.
Here is the most recent CDC infant death rate by race and ethnicity:
- Black infants: 10.9 deaths per 1,000 live births
- American Indian and Alaska Native infants: 9.1 deaths per 1,000
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander infants: 8.5 deaths per 1,000
- Hispanic infants: 4.9 deaths per 1,000
- White infants: 4.5 deaths per 1,000
- Asian infants: 3.5 deaths per 1,000
These numbers suggest that risk is not spread equally. Babies born into historically marginalized communities face greater chances of dying in their first year. This is often due to inadequate prenatal care, delayed emergency response, and unequal treatment in hospitals.
What’s Causing the Rise in Neonatal Death?
Most babies in the U.S. survive their first year of life, but when a newborn dies, there’s often more than one factor involved.
These are the top 5 causes of infant death according to the CDC:
- Birth defects, like congenital heart abnormalities
- Preterm birth and low birth weight babies, who are at risk of infection
- Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
- Unintentional injuries, such as car crashes or suffocation
- Maternal pregnancy complications, which can cause fatal oxygen loss
Not all of these causes are preventable. However, in many cases, better monitoring, faster action, or stronger hospital protocols could have made a difference.
When delays or mistakes happen in the delivery room or NICU, families are left with the burden — and the heartbreak — of not knowing if their baby could have been saved.
If you lost your baby and still have unanswered questions, our labor and delivery nurses can help. They’re trained to recognize warning signs of medical negligence and can walk you through what may have gone wrong.
Call us at (800) 914-1562 to speak with a registered nurse — free of charge.
Infant Death and Medical Negligence
Sometimes, tragic infant deaths are unavoidable. However, some occur because doctors and hospitals fail to act quickly or follow basic standards of care.
Unfortunately, medical negligence during labor, delivery, or newborn care can lead to a baby’s death.
Common medical errors that may cause preventable infant deaths include:
- Delayed or missed C-sections: Waiting too long to perform a cesarean can lead to oxygen loss, permanent brain damage, and death.
- Failure to act on fetal distress: Warning signs, such as a sudden drop in heart rate, can be fatal without immediate response.
- Infections that went untreated: Infections before or after birth can become life-threatening if not quickly diagnosed and treated.
- Trauma during delivery: Misuse of tools like forceps or vacuum extractors may cause fatal brain or spinal injuries.
When families lose a baby under these circumstances, they are often left with questions and few clear answers. An experienced birth injury lawyer may be able to help determine whether negligence played a role in the tragic loss of a child.
Find a Birth Injury Lawyer Near Me
If your baby died shortly before, during, or after delivery, and you believe negligence may have been involved, legal help may be available.
A wrongful death claim may help cover funeral costs, emotional losses, and other expenses while also holding the negligent health care providers accountable for what happened.
The Birth Injury Justice Center works with experienced birth injury lawyers across the country who understand how devastating this kind of loss can be.
We have a team of compassionate labor and delivery nurses on staff who can review your situation and help you understand your legal options.
Call us right now at (800) 914-1562 or get a free case review to find out if you may qualify.
