Texas Abortion Law Linked to 12.9% Increase in Infant Mortality and Rise in Congenital Abnormalities

A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics reveals a significant increase in infant mortality in Texas following the enactment of the state's stringent abortion law, Senate Bill 8 (SB8), in 2021. The research, conducted by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, found a 12.9% rise in infant deaths in Texas from 2021 to 2022, compared to a 1.8% increase nationally. The study links this increase to the lack of exceptions in the law for congenital anomalies, forcing women to carry pregnancies to term even when severe birth defects are detected. This led to a 22.9% rise in infant deaths due to congenital abnormalities in Texas, while such deaths decreased by 3% in the rest of the U.S. The findings highlight the unintended consequences of restrictive abortion policies, suggesting they may have adverse effects on infant health and increase trauma and medical costs for families. Further research is needed to fully understand the long-term impacts of these laws on infant mortality and public health.