Trends in Infant and Child Mortality

ABSTRACT

Infant and child mortality rates tend to decline over the last decades on a worldwide basis. Specifically, between 1980 and 2003, death rates dropped by 46% for infants, 51% for ages 1 to 4, 44% for children ages 5 to 14 and 32% for teens ages 15 to 19.

Relative bibliography and autopsy evidence helps us derive valuable information and conclusions on the causes regarding infant and children deaths, as well as other epidemiological and statistically based conclusions on the nature of these deaths.

The main causes of death for infants include congenital anomalies, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), prematurity and low birthweight. They can also be attributed to respiratory, circulatory, neoplastic and other reasons that have lower probability of appearance in those ages.

Concerning children's mortality: around the world, neonatal disorders, diarrhea, pneumonia, and malaria, malnutrition and underweight account for most of the children deaths around the world. However, children's health discussions in Europe and the USA focus on issues such as asthma, neurodevelopmental disorders, male genital malformations and childhood cancer. Diseases of the nervous and cardiovascular systems, account for one third of the sudden, unexpected and non violent deaths of children aged 1 to 19 years. Accidental injuries, child abuse, homicides and teenage suicides increase mortality rates, especially among young children and teenagers.