Results of the study on the structure and trends of mortality rates in infants of the first year of life in the Volga region showed great differences among the areas comprising the region. Various trends for infant mortality were found to be decreased. Analyzing the structure of mortality also indicated considerable regional differences: the Astrakhan region was leading in some infectious and parasitogenic diseases; respiratory diseases prevailed in the Astrakhan and Saratov Regions,; the Penza, Ulyanovsk and Volgograd regions were registered to have the largest number of disorders occurring in perinatality; the Volgograd and Ulyanovsk Regions showed the largest number of congenital disorders (malformations), deformities and chromosomal disorders. Maternity and child protection requires a further and more active participation of the state.
