Our children are this country's greatest resource. So it's alarming to note that the infant mortality rate in the United States is one of the highest among industrialized nations.

Approximately 7 out of every 1,000 babies die in the greater Kansas City area. These babies are often born to underprivileged women and minorities. The largest number of infant deaths result from babies being born too soon (low birth weight).

Young black women are twice as likely to have a low birth weight baby and three times more likely than young white women to have an infant die of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

MCHC implemented the Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) program to increase focus on reducing infant mortality and health care disparities in the Greater Kansas City community.

FIMR is an action-oriented community process that continually assesses, monitors and works to improve service systems and community resources for the health and well-being of women, infants and families. FIMR has 2 components: the Case Review Team (CRT) and the Community Action Team (CAT). Cases of fetal and infant deaths are presented using a template format and information gathered from medical records, autopsy reports and death certificates is de-identified and then presented to the Case Review Team consisting of physicians, nurses, nurse midwives, educators, social workers and case managers. It is at this level that gaps in the health care system are identified. The team generates recommendations to the CAT for action steps and implementation to close those gaps.

Oversight of the CRT is with MCHC, while the Kansas City Health Commission Women's Infant's and Children's Committee is responsible for the CAT.

  • Helping mothers with a loss by listening to the story of their pregnancy and the birth and loss of their baby during the FIMR interview.
  • Making referrals for grief counseling, postpartum depression or other identified needs.
  • Working to change and improve the health delivery systems these women are using.

 

  

 

No family should have to experience the loss of a child. Although only time can heal the pain, there are several resources that are available to help mothers and families each step of the way.

Most hospitals' protocols include immediate, short-term and long-term bereavement support for the mother and family. Infant loss/miscarriage support groups are available all over the region and meet regularly. They provide a safe haven for families in an understanding environment. For a list of resources, please contact Mary Jean Brown.

Women experiencing a fetal death of greater than 20 weeks gestation or an infant loss of less than one year of age, please contact Mary Jean Brown. To be eligible for the Fetal and Infant Mortality Program, you will need to reside in these Missouri ZIP codes—64110, 64127, 64128, 64130, 64132.

Contact

Mary Jean Brown, MS, RNC
Fetal Infant Mortality Review Project Coordinator
(816) 283-6242 Ext. 248
mjbrown@mchc.net