Race gap seen in US infant deaths after fertility treatment

By CARLA K. JOHNSON
AP Medical Writer

Black-white disparities exist in fertility medicine and are reflected in life-and-death outcomes for babies. That’s according to a large study of U.S. births published Wednesday in the journal Pediatrics. It’s the broadest look yet at racial gaps for women who use in vitro fertilization and fertility drugs. Researchers found higher death rates for infants born to Black women who used fertility treatment compared with white women. Infant deaths are rare, and the reasons for poor outcomes are unclear. Experts are calling on health professionals to make sure Black women get the highest quality care throughout pregnancy and after childbirth.