Child Deaths Continue to Decline
Awareness of the leading causes of death for 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 outreach to parents and caregivers. This indicator measures the leading causes of death for infants less than one year old and children ages one through four in San Bernardino County.
How is San Bernardino County Doing?
TREND
The overall death rate for children under five decreased 1% between 2017 and 2018 and 29% since 2009. The number of infant deaths (161) remained unchanged between 2017 and 2018, but fell 33% since 2009. The number of deaths among children ages one through four decreased 10%, from 30 deaths in 2017 to 27 deaths in 2018. Since 2009, deaths among children ages one through four decreased 29%.
DEATH RATE FOR CHILDREN UNDER FIVE FALLS 29% IN 10 YEARS
Death Rate Due to All Causes for Children Under Five in San Bernardino County, 2009-2018
Cause of Death Detail
Congenital defects/chromosomal abnormalities and prematurity/low birth weight top the list of leading causes of infant deaths. Accidents and homicides were the leading causes of death for young children (one to four years old).
ALMOST 200 INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD DEATHS IN 2018
Leading Causes of Death for Infants and Young Children in San Bernardino County, 2018
Leading Causes of Death for Infants (Under Age One)
San Bernardino County, 2018
Cause of Death-Infants (Under Age One) Number of Deaths Congenital defect/ chromosomal abnormalities 30 Prematurity/low birth weight 22 Maternal pregnancy complications affecting newborn 17 Complications of placenta, cord & membranes 10 All Other Causes 82 TOTAL 161
Leading Causes of Death for Young Children (Ages 1-4)
San Bernardino County, 2017
Cause of Death-Young Children (Ages 1-4) Number of Deaths Accidents (unintentional injuries) 10 Congenital defect/ chromosomal abnormalities 4 Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified 4 Leukemia 3 All Other Causes 9 TOTAL 30
Note: With the exception of accidents, causes with fewer than five deaths for infants and fewer than two deaths for young children are included in “All other causes.” The data for 2018 are considered preliminary and do not include deaths of San Bernardino County residents that were recorded in a state outside of California.
Source: County of San Bernardino, Department of Public Health analysis of California Department of Public Health, Center for Health Information and Statistics, California Death Statistical Master File