NUMBER OF YOUNG CHILD DEATHS MAINTAINS 10-YEAR LOW
Awareness of the leading causes of death among children can lead to intervention strategies to help prevent mortality. Many of these deaths are preventable through preconception health care, early and ongoing prenatal care, and public education initiatives to reduce the incidence of common accidents.[1] This indicator measures the leading causes of death for infants under one year old and children ages one through four in San Bernardino County.
TREND
The number of deaths for children under five decreased slightly in a one-year period, from 131 deaths in 2022 to 130 deaths in 2023. The long-term trend is also down, with a decline of 40% since 2014.
Among infants, the number of deaths decreased slightly, from 106 in 2022 to 105 in 2023. The long-term trend is also down, falling 43% since 2014.
Among children aged one through four, the number of deaths stayed the same at 25 deaths in both 2022 and 2023. Since 2014, however, deaths among children ages one through four decreased 26%.
NUMBER OF DEATHS FOR CHILDREN UNDER FIVE DECLINING
Count of Deaths Due to All Causes for Children Under Five in San Bernardino County, 2014-2023
Similar to the decline in the count of deaths, there has been a decline in the death rate for children under age five, dropping 33% from 141.5 deaths per 100,000 children under five in 2014 to 95.2 deaths per 100,000 in 2023.
DEATH RATE FOR CHILDREN UNDER FIVE FALLS BY ONE-THIRD IN 10 YEARS
Death Rate Due to All Causes for Children Under Five in San Bernardino County, 2014-2023
Maternal pregnancy complications affecting the newborn tops the list of leading causes of infant deaths, followed by congenital defects / chromosomal abnormalities. For children ages 1-4 years, accidents are the leading causes of death, followed by cancer.
MATERNAL PREGNANCY COMPLICATIONS MOST FREQUENT CAUSE OF INFANT DEATHS
Leading Causes of Death for Infants in San Bernardino County, 2023
Infants (Under Age One)
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths |
|---|---|
| Maternal pregnancy complications affecting newborn | 65 |
| Congenital defects/chromosomal abnormalities | 22 |
| All other causes | 18 |
| TOTAL | 105 |
Young Children (Ages 1-4)
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths |
|---|---|
| Accidents (unintentional injuries) | 8 |
| Cancer, including leukemia | 2 |
| Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities | 3 |
| All other causes | 12 |
| TOTAL | 25 |
[1] National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, et. al. “Vibrant and Healthy Kids: Aligning Science, Practice, and Policy to Advance Health Equity,” National Academies Press, 25 Jul 2019, Chapter 5 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551477/)