CONTEXT

• Karnataka’s Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) has dropped over 50% from 2010-12 (34.9) to 2020-22 (17.3).
• IMR fell from 17 (2021) to 15 (2022) as per the Sample Registration System (SRS) bulletin.
• Improvement is consistent across urban and rural areas.

CONCEPT

• Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): Number of infant deaths (under age 1) per 1,000 live births.
• Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR): Deaths of babies within 28 days of birth per 1,000 live births.
• Major Causes of Infant Deaths:
  • Infections
  • Premature births
  • Congenital anomalies
• Preventive Strategies:
  • Institutional deliveries
  • Neonatal intensive care
  • Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC)
  • Antenatal corticosteroids for preterm births
  • Newborn resuscitation

CURRENT 

• IMR dropped due to:
  • Better healthcare management
  • Upgraded government facilities
  • Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs)
  • Improved neonatal technology & infrastructure
• Access to private healthcare improved in Tier 2 & 3 cities.
• Vaccination coverage enhanced across regions.
• Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC)(Kangaroo mother care is a method of care of preterm infants. The method involves infants being carried, usually by the mother, with skin-to-skin contact.)  effective in reducing infection and increasing survival.
• Training for basic newborn resuscitation initiated in birthing facilities.

Key Challenges:

• Newborn mortality remains a concern; NMR for Karnataka was 13 (2021), reduced to 12 (2022); India’s NMR remained 19.
• Need to reduce regional disparities in healthcare infrastructure and outcomes.
• Underutilisation of available funds in lagging districts.
• Need for timely antenatal corticosteroids for preterm labor.