A new study reveals that in the year and a half following the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, which revoked the federal right to abortion, the United States experienced a significant rise in infant deaths. Researchers found that hundreds more infants died than anticipated during this period, primarily due to congenital anomalies, commonly known as birth defects.
Earlier investigations, prompted by a CNN report, indicated a rise in infant mortality in Texas after a 6-week abortion ban was implemented in 2021. Experts now believe that the effects of abortion bans in various states since the Dobbs ruling have created a national trend.
Dr. Parvati Singh, an assistant professor of epidemiology at The Ohio State University College of Public Health and the lead author of the new study, emphasized the broader implications of these findings. “This is evidence of a national ripple effect, regardless of state-level status,” she stated.
The study, published Monday in JAMA Pediatrics, compared infant mortality rates from the 18 months following the Dobbs decision with historical trends. The researchers discovered that infant mortality rates were higher than usual in the months following the decision, peaking in October 2022, March 2023, and April 2023, with rates approximately 7% above typical levels. This spike led to an average of 247 additional infant deaths each month during this time.
The research indicated that about 80% of these extra deaths were linked to congenital anomalies, which were more prevalent than expected in six of the 18 months after the Dobbs decision. Congenital anomalies can vary in severity, with some affecting critical areas like the heart or spine. In severe cases, infants with such defects may only survive for a few months. “This is the tip of the iceberg,” said Singh. “Mortality is the ultimate outcome of any health condition. This is a very, very acute indicator and could represent underlying morbidity and hardship.”
Additional research has shown that birth rates have risen in states with abortion restrictions, partly due to an increase in women carrying fetuses with lethal congenital anomalies to term. Dr. Ushma Upadhyay, an associate professor at the University of California, San Francisco, noted that many of these pregnancies would likely have ended in abortion if access to those services had been available.
Experts warn that abortion bans can also hinder access to essential health care, increasing risks for both infants and mothers. Upadhyay highlighted that “the well-being of a pregnant person is inextricably linked to the well-being of the pregnancy.” She explained that these bans can limit access to prenatal care and support systems, which disproportionately affects individuals facing structural barriers such as poverty, lower education levels, and food insecurity.
Infant mortality refers to deaths that occur before a baby turns one year old, making it challenging to determine the specific causes during periods of increased rates. However, the timing of the spikes—four, nine, and ten months after the Dobbs decision—correlates with when congenital anomalies can typically be identified in a fetus.
Dr. Alison Gemmill, a demographer and perinatal epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University, stated, “These studies provide a signal that people aren’t getting the care they need, and there are spillover effects.” She underscored that not everyone can overcome the barriers posed by these bans, emphasizing the need for further investigation into the implications of such legislation on maternal and infant health.
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