Texas Sees Rising Infant Deaths, Families Advocate for Change

Texas is grappling with a distressing increase in infant deaths, with preliminary state data revealing a rise of more than 7 percent since 2021. Reports from hospitals indicate a growing number of newborn fatalities, raising urgent discussions about reproductive and perinatal care. Families, health professionals, and researchers suggest various factors contributing to this trend, including more infants being born with life-limiting anomalies. They emphasize that both compassionate responses and policy reforms are essential.

According to reporting from KXAN, the alarming figures demand heightened public health scrutiny. Investigative reporter Arezow Doost highlighted that the early statistics are devastating for families and call for immediate attention. A peer-reviewed study published in JAMA Pediatrics revealed an even steeper increase in infant mortality, with deaths rising by approximately 12.9 percent from 2021 to 2022. The research, led by Johns Hopkins University, estimated around 216 excess infant deaths during the latter part of 2022. Notably, the study identified a 23 percent increase in deaths associated with congenital anomalies in Texas, a trend inconsistent with national patterns.

As discussions unfold, other analyses have linked the rise in infant mortality to the aftermath of the Dobbs decision, which imposed restrictions on pregnancy terminations. These restrictions, along with disruptions in reproductive services, may have contributed to broader public health implications. National reports have underscored the disproportionate impact on Black and low-income families, advocating for improved maternal and neonatal support systems.

What is Everly’s Law?

In response to the growing crisis, the Texas legislature has introduced House Bill 37, known as Everly’s Law. This law establishes a Perinatal Bereavement Care Initiative within the Texas Department of State Health Services. It mandates that hospitals with a maternal level of care designation provide bereavement counseling and access to perinatal bereavement devices for families experiencing stillbirth or neonatal loss. The law defines a perinatal bereavement device as one that can preserve human tissue for up to 72 hours, allowing families more time with their infants.

The statute, set to take effect on September 1, 2025, prioritizes hospitals serving high-risk maternal patients and plans to allocate resources for training and equipment. Advocacy groups are actively working to expand access to bereavement devices like cuddle cots, partnering with hospitals to ensure staff are trained to support families during their grief.

Implications for Families and Healthcare Providers

The new legislation is expected to facilitate the provision of bereavement devices in hospitals lacking such equipment. Manufacturers and nonprofits are already engaging with Texas hospitals to enhance access and training. Despite these efforts, clinicians caution that equipment alone is insufficient. They stress the importance of comprehensive approaches that include prenatal screening, specialty care referrals, and enhanced social services.

Researchers are warning of a potential chain reaction due to tighter abortion restrictions, which may shift the profile of pregnancies that continue. This shift could lead to an increase in infants born with severe anomalies, thus influencing neonatal and infant mortality rates. Medical professionals have noted that the legal uncertainties following the Dobbs ruling have created hesitation and delays in patient care, underscoring the need for clearer rules that prioritize patient welfare.

Public health specialists advocate for preventive measures such as safe sleep education, access to quality prenatal care, and targeted community support for areas with high infant mortality rates. These initiatives should complement bereavement services to provide holistic support for families facing loss.

The JAMA Pediatrics study specifically linked the rise in infant deaths in Texas to SB8, the state’s 2021 law imposing strict abortion limits, which did not include exemptions for cases with severe fetal anomalies. Legal experts note the complexities of disentangling the effects of specific laws from broader healthcare system challenges.

As Everly’s Law approaches its implementation date, state officials and healthcare facilities are tasked with establishing the new bereavement program. Ongoing research will continue to monitor statewide data, providing insight into whether the initiative alleviates some of the suffering for grieving families. Journalists and public health advocates remain vigilant, focusing on the broader implications of policies affecting newborns and infants in Texas.