Statistical Services - BC Vital Statistics Agency

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There were 177 infant deaths (under one year of age) an increase from the 162 infant deaths in 2001. There were 296 stillbirths in 2002, up 15 from the previous year.
In 2002, perinatal conditions were the cause of death for more than half (50.3%) of the infant deaths (89) and over ninety percent (91.6%) of the stillbirths (271). This cause includes the stillbirths with undetermined cause of death (52). The infant mortality rate for perinatal conditions was 22.31 deaths per 10,000 live births, and the stillbirth rate for this cause was 67.43 per 10,000 total births.
Congenital anomalies were responsible for about one quarter (24.3%) of infant deaths (43) and about one out of twelve (8.4%) stillbirths (25) in 2002. The infant mortality rate for congenital anomalies was 10.78 deaths per 10,000 live births, and the stillbirth rate was 6.22 per 10,000 total births.
Of the 96 deaths in the early neonatal period (age at death under 7 days), almost three quarters (77.1%) were due to perinatal conditions (74 deaths). The most common of these were infant affected by maternal factors (29), premature/post mature and fetal growth disorders (17) and respiratory and cardiovascular disorders (11).
There were 54 infant deaths in the post neonatal period (28 to 364 days after birth) including 11 due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). It should be noted that some of the infant deaths that are still under investigation may later be identified as SIDS.

Personal information collected by the Vital Statistics Agency is protected under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and is treated with confidentiality.