## Definition of Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) **Key Point:** IMR is the number of deaths of infants aged **less than 1 year** per 1000 live births in a given year and area. ### Distinction from Related Indicators | Indicator | Age Group | Per 1000 | |-----------|-----------|----------| | **IMR** | < 1 year | Live births | | **Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR)** | < 5 years | Live births | | **Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR)** | < 28 days | Live births | | **Perinatal Mortality Rate (PMR)** | 22 weeks gestation to 7 days postnatal | Total births | **High-Yield:** IMR is one of the most sensitive indicators of a country's socioeconomic development and health infrastructure. It reflects maternal health, nutrition, sanitation, and access to healthcare. **Clinical Pearl:** In India, IMR has declined from ~130 per 1000 live births in 1990 to ~30–35 per 1000 live births in recent years, reflecting improvements in NRHM and RMNCH+A programs. **Mnemonic:** **I**nfant = **I**nfants (< **1** year). The "1" in IMR stands for the 1-year age cutoff.
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