Can we decrease more infant mortality in Castilla-La Mancha?

Background: In XX century infant mortality in Spain has decreased a lot, like in the rest of developed countries; in the neonatal period it has decreased more than in postneonatal period. Objectives: To describe infant mortality trends and its types between 1980 and 1998 in Castilla-La Mancha (Spain), and to present the causes of death in this population. Methods: The data has been obtained from the Registry of Mortality of Castilla-La Mancha, these data has been codified following the ICD-9. Data includes all the deaths between 1980 and 1998 in infants under one year. WHO?s indicators and its temporal evolution have been calculated, as well as the causes of death. Results: The rate of infant mortality in Castilla-La Mancha has decreased from the 12.53 per 1,000 in 1980 to the 3.56 per 1,000 in 1998, without differences between provinces. All the rates have a decreasing trend, decreasing less the later neonatal mortality and the postneonatal mortality. The most important causes of death are ?Illnesses and symptoms not- defined? and ?Congenital abnormalities?. Conclusions: The rate of infant mortality in Castilla-La Mancha have a decreasing trend.