The US actually has nearly the lowest child mortality rate.
The difference is in how different countries define "child
mortality".
The US uses a comparatively extreme definition, in that we count
every baby who shows any sign of life, irrespective of size or
weight at birth.
By contrast, in much of Europe, babies born before 26 weeks'
gestation are not considered "live births." Switzerland only counts
babies who are at least 30 centimeters long (11.8 inches) as
being born alive. In Canada, Austria and Germany, only babies
weighing at least a pound are considered live births.
By excluding the smallest and must vulnerable fetus', these
countries have simply redefined about one-third of what we call
"infant deaths" in America as "miscarriages."
Moreover, many industrialized nations, such as France, Hong
Kong and Japan -- the infant mortality champion -- don't count
infant deaths that occur in the 24 hours after birth. Almost half of
infant deaths in the U.S. occur in the first day.
Imagine how the US would rank if we did not count any child that
did not survive 24 hours. It would be a much different picture.
