Infant Mortality

The infant mortality rate, the rate of infant deaths per 1,000 live births, is a common measure of maternal and child health, the community’s overall health and well-being that also tells the important story of equity within our community. Infant mortality is defined as the death of a child before their first birthday.

In 2019, Pitt County’s total infant death rate increased dramatically to 11.5 / 1,000 live births. The previous year’s (2018) total infant mortality death rate was 6.7 / 1,000 live births compared to 8.8 / 1,000 live births in 2017. Pitt County’s 2019 total infant death rate was almost double that of North Carolina’s total infant death rate of 6.8 / 1,000 live births.