1.   A final factor that affects the number of children desired by developing world couples is infant mortality.

2.   As mentioned above, the rate of reduction in the level of infant mortality was not uniform in each maternal age group.

3.   Further reduction of infant mortality and chronic handicap depends increasingly on prevention of such disorders.

4.   Improved nutrition, poverty reduction, maternal education and better medical services have combined to halve infant mortality.

5.   In a region where infant mortality is high, the argument struck a responsive chord.

6.   Infant mortality is frequently assumed to be an especially sensitive indicator of severe poverty.

7.   Infant mortality is phenomenally high, and many children die before they reach six years of age.

8.   Moreover, the high number of births in a family is offset by the high incidence of infant mortality.

9.   Nevertheless, the reasons for the striking Decline in infant mortality in this period remain rather mysterious.