Texas Abortion Ban Tied to Rise in Infant Deaths

A study published in JAMA Pediatrics has found that Texas' six-week abortion ban, implemented in 2021, led to a 13% increase in infant deaths within their first year of life. The study also observed a more than 10% rise in the number of infants who died within their first month. This research comes two years after the US Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade and permitted numerous states to enact stringent abortion restrictions.

The study identified a 23% increase in infant deaths due to congenital anomalies, conditions often detected during pregnancy and potentially leading to abortions in states where the procedure remains legal. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University and Michigan State University compared Texas' mortality statistics from 2018 to 2022 with those from 28 other states. While infant mortality rates increased in Texas, the national increase was significantly lower at about 2%. Texas Governor Greg Abbott's office defended the state's anti-abortion stance, while advocates of the law argued that it protects unborn children. The findings indicate that restrictive abortion policies may have significant unintended consequences, including increased infant mortality and associated medical costs.