Characteristics of infant mortality in the RSA 1929-1983. Part II. Causes of death among white and coloured infants.

The relative contribution of different causes of death in the first year of life is presented for the period 1929-1983. Infections and perinatal and respiratory causes most commonly result in infant death among coloureds, while perinatal and congenital causes are commonest among whites. Over the 54-year period studied the mortality rate due to infections has fallen dramatically among whites but much less so among coloureds. The two causes of death for which the ratios of coloured to white mortality are highest, viz. infections (28 times) and respiratory causes (9 times), are those which have the greatest post-neonatal mortality component.