WHO/CHILD MORTALITY

REPORT

Represent by:

Parisa Zarei shargh

Msc student of Nutrition science

Dec.2014

In 2013, 6.3 million children under five died

from mostly preventable causes

Around 200 000 fewer than in 2012

Still equal to nearly 17 000 child deaths each

day.

Under-five mortality rates have dropped by 49% between 1990

and 2013.

The average annual reduction has accelerated – in some

countries it has even tripled – but overall progress is still short

of meeting the global target of a two-thirds decrease in under-

five mortality by 2015

Children in sub-Saharan Africa are more than

15 times more likely to die before the age of

five than children in developed regions

About half of under-five deaths occur in only 5

countries:

China, Democratic Republic of the Congo, India,

Nigeria and Pakistan.

India (21%) and Nigeria (13%) together

account for more than a third of all under-five

deaths.

Children are at greater risk of dying before age

five if they are born in rural areas, poor

households, or to a mother denied basic

education.

44% of child deaths under the age of

five take place during the neonatal

period

Safe childbirth and effective neonatal

care are essential to prevent these

deaths

A child's risk of dying is highest in the

neonatal period, the first 28 days of life.

In 2013, 6.3 million children under five died

2.8 million babies died within the first month

of life

up to one half of all deaths occur within the

first 24 hours of life

75% occur in the first week.

About two-thirds of these deaths occurred in just

10 countries.

While the number of neo-natal deaths have

declined, progress has been slower than for the

overall under-five mortality rate.

Malnourished children (particularly acute

malnutrition) have a higher risk of death from

common childhood illness such as diarrhoea,

pneumonia, and malaria.

Nutrition-related factors contribute to

about 45% of deaths in children under five

years of age.

Cause of death

Risk factors Prevention Treatment

Pneumonia, or other acute respiratory infections

1.Low birth weight2.Malnutrition3.Non-breastfed children4.Overcrowded conditions

Vaccination

Adequate nutrition

Exclusive breastfeeding

Reduction of household air pollution

Appropriate care by a trained health provider

Antibiotics

Oxygen for severe illness

Childhood diarrhoea

Non-breastfed children

Unsafe drinking water and food

Poor hygiene practices

Malnutrition

Exclusive breastfeeding

Safe water and food

Adequate sanitation and hygiene

Adequate nutritionVaccination

measles, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis,

pneumonia due to Haemophilius influenzae type

B and Streptococcus pneumoniae and diarrhoea

due to rotavirus, vaccines are available and can

protect children from illness and death

The Millennium Development Goals adopted by

the United Nations in 2000 aim to decrease child

and maternal deaths worldwide by 2015.

The fourth Millennium Development Goal

(MDG) is to reduce the 1990 mortality rate

among under-five children by two thirds.

Child mortality is also closely linked to MDG 5

to improve maternal health.

Eight of the 60 countries identified as ‘high

mortality countries’ (at least 40 deaths per1000

live births) have already reached or surpassed the

MDG target (67% reduction).

The countries are Malawi (72%), Bangladesh

(71%), Liberia (71%), Tanzania (69%), Ethiopia

(69%), Timor-Leste (68%), Niger (68%) and

Eritrea (67%)

“We know what to do and we know how to do

it. The challenge now is to move from plan to

action.”

Dr Flavia Bustreo, Assistant Director General at WHO.

Thanks for your

attention