Infant Mortality

Introduction

Infant mortality (IM) is the incidence of death that occurs in the first year after birth, expressed in relation to every 1,000 live births. Infant mortality is commonly divided into two categories: neonatal deaths (occurring during the first 27 days after birth) post-neonatal deaths (occurring from the age of 28 days to one year).

The largest concern that most people have with regard to medication use during pregnancy is the risk of the drug causing birth defects. The different type of medication is prescription, OTC, illegal, and herbal. Many pregnant women take different types of medication, because they are unaware of the danger some medication may cause. Medication use during pregnancy can also affect other aspects of pregnancy including risk for pre-term birth, spontaneous abortion, or low birth weight. About 1 in 33 babies are born each year with a birth defect.

The leading causes of infant mortality are multi-factorial, interrelated environmental and social factors. Factors that lead to increased infant mortality risk include 1) Low birth-weight, 2) Lack of prenatal care, 3) Lack of medical care access, 4) Mothers with less than a high school education, 5) Lack of health education, 6) Use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, including legal or illegal, 7) Sudden infant death syndrome, 8) Maternal infections, 9) Environmental factors, and10) Poverty. The factor that we are mainly focused on in this research is the miss use of medication, prescription, over the counter (OTC), including herbal medication.

Materials and Method

While investigating this research we observed the frequent use of prescription drugs, OTC, and herbal medication. Our research consisted of collecting a list of medicines used frequently, what products they are found in, and the effect it has on pregnant women, and fetuses. Data was collected from Shelby County Health Department, Government and General public information web sites. The purpose of this collection is to inform pregnant women and women who plan to become pregnant, about the side effects of these different drugs.

Results

Table 1 represents some out of many different types of herbs that pregnant women should avoid. This table shows what these herbs commonly are used for, what they are found in, and how it can have an effect on pregnant women and the fetus. Table 2 is a list of prescription drugs that cause teratogenic effects. This table shows what the medication is used for. Table 3 represents the over the counter medication and possible factors that influences infant mortality.

(Table 1)

Herbs Uses Products Side Effects Side Effects & Pregnancy

Aloe Vera

(Ref #32) Cosmetics, gel, wound heal, dry skin, burns, & skin ulcers Lotion, shower gel, shampoo, & puritan's pride Gi cramps, potassium deficiency & albuminuria Theoretical stimulation of uterine contraction

Arbor vitae

(Ref # 32) Oily skin, weak nails, warts, & fungal or viral diseases Thuja ointment & Boiron Thuja Occidentals

Autumn crocus

Used for gout and arthritis Oniment Intoxication, severe gastric distress, shock & inhibit normal cell growth

Barberry

(Ref # 32) Jaundice, diarrhea, removing constipation, and biliousness Root liquid, barberry tea, & barberrycapsules Nausea, vomting, headache, hyper-hypotension Has exhibited uterine stimulantproperties & anti fertility

Basil oil Relieves tension, stress, and anxiety

Beth root

Black cohosh

(Ref # 32) Menopausal Symptoms Remifemin, calcium plus soy, estroven, & flax oil Dizziness, loss of bone mass, irregular or slow heart beat 1 case of sever multi organ damage

Bloodroot Plaque, gingivitis, sore throat, & cough Tooth paste, mouth rinse Excessive dose can cause low blood pressure, vertigo, & vomiting Used to stimulate menstruation, so should avoid while pregnant

Blue cohosh

(Ref # 32) Used to regulate menstrual flow, & for testing suppressed menstruation Caulophyllum powder, caulophyllum thalictroides Uterine stimulating effects, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain. Heart attack & stroke Cardio toxic effect to the fetus

Broom

(Ref # 32) Cathartic, diuretic, emetic, antiarrhythimic & labor-induce Pronatura Dentox 200 tablets Causes uterine contraction, risk inducing abortion

Bugleweed

(Ref #'s 32, 34) Over-active thyroid glands, coughs, and circulation Gland formula liquid, & thyroid/pituitary formula tincture

Clove oil Asthma, bronchitis, muscle aches, sprains & strains Breverages, tea, foods, oils, & toothpastes Irritate skin & mucous membrane

Comfrey Wound healing, ulsers, bruises/sprains, blood purifier Comfrey leaf-ointment, powder, & tincture Hazardous to health due to hepatoxic alkoloids Liver damaging

Cotton root

Devil's claw Arthritis, rheumatism, hypotensive, anti-inflammatory Arthritis formula tincture, Arth X, pain inflammation formula Significant toxicity has not been observed in limited use Can cause uterine contractions & miscarriages

Dong quai Menstrual cramps/irregularity,menopausal symptoms Clear eye & sharp ear, TCM formula, & yogi tea Severe photodermatis & photosensitivity Miscarriages & increase the risk of abortion

False unicorn Reducing menopausal symptoms, treating ovarian cysts Menaopause formula tincture, infertility tincture, & Endometriosis

Feverfew Fevers, arthritis. Prophylaxis for migraine headache Butterbur w/feverfew, feverfew herb tincture Dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, indigestion gas May stimulant menstrual flow & induce abortion

Goldenseal Help support the immune system Vitamin C, Antioxidant formula, Zinc Nausea, vomiting, breathing failure, or feeling numbness in the arms & legs Can cause premature contractions

Greatercelandine

Juniper Beverages, seasoning, diuretic, bronchitis, & arthritis Juniper berries, cedarwood essential oil, ashokarishta tonic Skin & respiratory allergic reactions, potentially carcinogenic DNA damage Potential