Infant Mortality Review Program
Infant Mortality in the United States
Infant mortality is the death of an infant before his or her first birthday. The infant mortality rate is an important marker of the overall health of a society. In 2021, the infant mortality rate in the United States was 5.4 deaths per 1,000 live births.
Connecticut Infant Mortality Review Program
The Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH) administers the CT Infant Mortality Review Program (IMRP). In October 2023, Connecticut Statute Section 19a-59K (a) was passed granting DPH the statutory authority to establish an IMRP and a Infant Mortality Review Committee (IMRC) to conduct a comprehensive, multidisciplinary review of infant deaths for purposes of reducing health care disparities, identifying factors associated with infant deaths and making recommendations to reduce infant deaths.
Connecticut Infant Mortality Review Committee
The Infant Mortality Review Committee shall include available infant death reports and recommendations produced by the child fatality review panel, established pursuant to section 46a-13, in its review of infant deaths for the purposes of making recommendations to reduce health care disparities and identify gaps in or problems with the delivery of care or services to reduce infant deaths. Utilizing The National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention, the Infant Mortality Review Committee reviews de-identified case summaries to ensure consistency and uniformity in the case review process.
Click for the Connecticut Infant Mortality Review Committee's Purpose, Scope, Mission, Objectives, and Vision.
Infant Mortality Review Committee Public Meeting Dates:
Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at 5:30 pm - (POSTPONED)
Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at 5:30 pm - Agenda / Teams link / IMRC Recording - November 6, 2024
Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 5:30 pm - (POSTPONED)
2025 IMR Meeting Dates
January 8, 2025, February 5, 2025, March 5, 2025, April 2, 2025, May 7, 2025, June 4, 2025, July 2, 2025, August 6, 2025, September 3, 2025, October 1, 2025, November 5, 2025, and December 2, 2025. All meetings will be held at 5:30 pm.
Key Documents for CT IMRC
CT Infant Mortality Review Committee's Purpose, Scope, Mission, Objectives, and Vision
CT Infant Mortality Review Committee's Policies and Procedures
Resources for Parents
First Candle: First Candle provides 24/7 bereavement support, offering compassion, expertise, professional guidance, and a network of people who understand because they too know the pain of losing a baby.
The Compassionate Friends: The words of TCF’s Founder, Simon Stephens, resonate with those who have come to The Compassionate Friends hoping to find a purpose in a life that suddenly seems so empty. Whether your family has had a child die (at any age, from any cause) or you are trying to help those who have gone through this life altering experience, The Compassionate Friends exists to provide friendship, understanding, and hope to those going through the natural grieving process.
March of Dimes: March of Dimes believes in a world where every mom and baby is healthy regardless of wealth, race, gender or geography. The U.S. remains among the most dangerous developed nations for childbirth, especially for families of color. Through research, programs and advocacy, our supporters enable us to be there for parents throughout their pregnancies.
Safe Sleep: There is no guaranteed way to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). However, research tells us that a safe sleep environment can help reduce your baby's risk of SIDS.
Contact Information for the CT lnfant Mortality Review Program
Shayna LaFlam, BSN, RN, Nurse Consultant
E-mail: shayna.laflam@ct.gov / phone: (860) 509-8089
or
Jennifer Squires, Health Program Assistant 2
E-mail: jennifer.squires@ct.gov / phone: (860) 509-7412
Connecticut State Department of Public Health
Maternal Child Health and Access to Care Section
Reproductive and Perinatal Health Unit
410 Capitol Avenue, MS# 11 MAT
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
Updated 11/6/2024