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Truth is surely stranger than fiction. Well, at least sometimes. This thought immediately crossed my mind when I read about this research in the US, which has found that the mortality rate of infant boys is much higher than the girls. The study was made taking mortality data from 15 countries, namely 11 from Europe, along with United States, Japan, Canada and Australia, which clearly showed that the gap was an alarming 30% in the 70’s. This has been bridged to a certain extent and has come down to 20%, but that is more due to an overall drop in the infant mortality rates.
Boys are 60% more likely than girls to be born prematurely and to have impediments tied to pre-term birth such as neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, a condition that makes it difficult for a baby to breathe, according to the study. This syndrome can occur in infants whose lungs have not yet been fully developed. Infant boys also face a higher risk of birth injury and mortality due to their larger body and head size. This is touted as the primary cause of death in boys due to complications tied to childbirth and premature delivery.
Although this is a scientific research and has nothing to do with female feticide, I really wonder how far will this hold true for countries like India, Africa…or any developing nation for that matter. We are always saying “save the girl child”….should we rephrase it and say “save the child” instead? Point to ponder indeed!
via Reuters
