Maternal Nativity, Race, and Ethnicity and Infant Mortality in the US

In the US, is maternal nativity or race and ethnicity associated with infant mortality, and do these associations vary by gestational age?In this cohort study of more than 25 million births from 2016 to 2022, infant mortality rates were higher among US-born birthing individuals compared with non–US-born birthing individuals. This disparity was accounted for by full-term births among those who were Black, Hispanic, White and multiracial.These findings suggest that maternal nativity status is associated with infant mortality across racial and ethnic groups, highlighting the need for investigation into the underlying factors contributing to these disparities, particularly among full-term births.

Corresponding Author: Giulia M. Muraca, MPH, PhD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, HSC 3V-43B, 1280 Main St W, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada (muracag@mcmaster.ca).

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