## Definition of Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) **Key Point:** IMR is defined as the number of deaths of infants (children aged 0–1 year) per 1000 live births in a given year. ### Standard Formula $$IMR = \frac{\text{Number of infant deaths (0–1 year) in a year}}{\text{Total number of live births in that year}} \times 1000$$ ### Key Characteristics - **Age group:** 0–1 year (from birth to 12 months) - **Denominator:** Live births (not total population) - **Multiplier:** Per 1000 live births - **Data source in India:** Sample Registration System (SRS) and Census ### Clinical Pearl **High-Yield:** IMR is a sensitive indicator of: - Quality of maternal and child health services - Nutritional status of the population - Socioeconomic development of a region - Access to healthcare and sanitation ### Related Indicators | Indicator | Definition | Age Group | | --- | --- | --- | | **Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR)** | Deaths in first 28 days per 1000 live births | 0–28 days | | **Post-neonatal Mortality Rate** | Deaths between 29 days and 1 year per 1000 live births | 29 days–1 year | | **Child Mortality Rate (CMR)** | Deaths in children aged 1–5 years per 1000 live births | 1–5 years | | **Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR)** | Deaths in children aged 0–5 years per 1000 live births | 0–5 years | **Mnemonic:** IMR = **I**nfant deaths per **1000** live **B**irths = **I × 1000 B** [cite:Park 26e Ch 3]
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