Infant abuse rates horrific

Nationwide, close to one in 50 infants is the victim of child abuse or neglect, according to a new study by the federal Centers for Disease Control. Nearly one-third of the abused infants were in the first week of life when the abuse began.

These are shocking numbers. Even Utah's statistics, where such abuse or neglect occurs in one in about 100 infants, is disturbing because most of these cases involve neglect, oft-times linked to substance abuse by mothers.

In some respects, Utah fares better than the rest of the nation because extended families help lighten the load of new parents and the state has many resources for the homeless, as well as family supports from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

But Utah also has a considerable number of parents who are isolated and do not have connections with support mechanisms such as family or a church. They may be unfamiliar with programs that offer short-term crisis care to overwhelmed parents. Mothers who are substance abusers may shun such help to mask their addictions.

Under the best of circumstances, the challenges of caring for newborn babies can be difficult. They require constant care, which is a significant adjustment, particularly for parents welcoming their first child into the world. If the delivery was difficult or surgery was required, a new mother may be particularly taxed to meet her new responsibilities.

Parents with extended families have a natural network to assist with child care or household chores. Many churches lend a hand in this regard, as well. But for people who have no such networks that can provide care and mentoring, they may become further isolated and exhausted. That spells trouble for parents and their offspring.

Most pregnancies are not experienced in isolation. Friends, co-workers and neighbors can offer their help after the birth of the child. Sometimes new parents simply need a listening ear or a little bit of advice from seasoned parents that might make the difference between a baby sleeping well or wailing through the night. Sometimes they simply need an hour or two of sleep.

The point is, little gestures can mean a lot. While Utah can be proud that its rate of infant abuse or neglect is half that of the national rate, it still means that one in 100 Utahns is abused and neglected. It means in a elementary school of 500 children, five of those children have experienced a rocky start in life. A state that values children must take proactive steps to improve those odds.