Child Maternal Health

Low birth weight (LBW) is a leading indicator of child health, and refers to the percent of live births in which the infant’s weight is less than 2,500 grams. LBW can indicate maternal exposure to health risks, access to health care, the social and economic environment, and environmental risks. In terms of the infant’s health outcomes, LBW is a predictor of the child’s health over the course of life.

In San Juan County, 6.7% of babies born in San Juan County experience low birth weight, considered to be a poor health outcome for infants. San Juan is statistically better on this outcome than across New Mexico (8.9%) and the U.S. (8.2)

Another child-maternal health indicator, the infant mortality rate of 6.7 infant deaths per 1,000 births in San Juan County is slightly above rates across New Mexico (5.3) and the U.S. (5.4).

The percent of low birth weight babies in San Juan County is consistently below New Mexico and U.S. rates.

Native American infants in San Juan County are somewhat less likely to experience low birth weight than Hispanic or White infants.

Prenatal care is a health factor that plays a central role in infant and child health. Doctors recommend that women see their health care provider before the 13th week of pregnancy and to go back for at least 13 visits before birth. San Juan County and New Mexico have been consistently below the U.S. for this indicator.

In San Juan County, two-thirds (66.1%) of pregnant women receive the recommended first trimester prenatal care, compared to 77% across the U.S. 

Native American women are less likely to receive prenatal care than White women in San Juan County, and rates for Hispanic women fall between these rates.

Teen birth rate is a leading social indicator of maternal and child health. Teen pregnancies are more likely to result in health problems for both mother and baby, and parenting challenges can create social and economic hardship. 

Of the 1,337 births in San Juan County in 2020, 106 or 7.9% were to teen mothers (age 15-19).

There has been a substantial decline in teen pregnancy, although San Juan County’s rate continues to be above the U.S. rate.