After the Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health, the rate of infant deaths in the U.S. increased, particularly among those born with genetic or chromosomal abnormalities, according to recent research.
These findings align with earlier studies focused on the situation in Texas after early abortion bans were enacted, highlighting the repercussions of limiting access to abortion services, stated Maria Gallo and Parvati Singh, researchers from The Ohio State University. Their national analysis was published online today (Oct. 21) in JAMA Pediatrics.
“In the seven to fourteen months following the reversal of Roe v. Wade, we noted a 7% rise in infant mortality rates, along with a 10% increase in deaths among infants born with congenital anomalies,” explained Singh, who serves as an assistant professor of epidemiology.
Between 2018 and 2023, the average monthly infant mortality was 5.6 deaths per 1,000 live births, while the average mortality rate for those with congenital anomalies was 1.3 deaths per 1,000 live births. A comparison of the period after Dobbs with the prior months revealed 247 additional infant deaths per month than anticipated, and 204 additional deaths monthly related to genetic and chromosomal conditions.
“People might not have expected an increase in infant mortality rates following Dobbs. It’s not something most thought about. However, restricting access to healthcare can lead to broader public health effects that are often unpredictable,” Gallo remarked, who is a professor of epidemiology.
This study doesn’t explore differences across individual states, but the researchers suggested that states with stricter abortion laws would likely see a more significant impact.
To assess the implications of the Dobbs ruling on infant mortality, particularly concerning congenital issues, the researchers utilized a national birth outcomes database, analyzing data from 2018 to 2023.
“Typically, birth outcomes remain quite stable in any population. In a large population like the U.S., infant mortality rates usually show consistency, aside from known seasonal fluctuations,” Singh stated. The team took these regular variations into account during their analysis.
“The extra deaths we observed primarily affected babies born to individuals who became pregnant in the early part of 2022,” Singh noted.
They did not find an increased rate of infant deaths beyond 14 months after the Dobbs ruling, Gallo indicated.
“Whether this trend will persist beyond this timeframe is uncertain,” she expressed. “It might continue due to restricted access to abortion care in some areas. Conversely, state lawmakers might recognize that this isn’t what their constituents desire and may initiate constitutional amendments to safeguard access.”
In the future, the researchers aim to investigate the impact on various populations, particularly those who may face greater challenges when care is limited, and also examine maternal mortality rates.
“We must also consider the broader human implications, including the mental health effects stemming from being denied abortion services or having to carry a fetus with a fatal genetic abnormality to term,” Singh concluded.
