How Common is Child Loss?
Too common. Premature death among youth, especially from preventable causes, is an enormous loss. Children and adolescents under age 18 represent 22% of the United States population. According to Americas Health Rankings.
How Many Babies Are Stillborn?
About 1 pregnancy in 100 at 20 weeks of pregnancy and later is affected by stillbirth, and each year about 24,000 babies are stillborn in the United States.1
Children aged 1-4 years
- Number of deaths: 3,816
- Deaths per 100,000 population: 25.0
Children aged 5-14 years
- Number of deaths: 5,975
- Deaths per 100,000 population: 14.3
References-
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MacDorman MF, Gregory EC. Fetal and perinatal mortality: United States, 2013. National vital statistics reports: from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, National Vital Statistics System. 2015; 64(8):1-24.
Causes of Child Death in the United States
Children aged 1-4 years
- Accidents (unintentional injuries)
- Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities
- Assault (homicide)
Source: National Vital Statistics System – Mortality data (2021) via CDC WONDER
Children aged 5-9 years
- Accidents (unintentional injuries)
- Cancer
- Assault (homicide)
Source: National Vital Statistics System – Mortality data (2021) via CDC WONDER
Children aged 10-14 years
- Accidents (unintentional injuries)
- Intentional self-harm (suicide)
- Cancer
Child loss is a tragic and devastating experience that no parent should ever have to face. Understanding the emotional effects and providing support to grieving parents is crucial in helping them navigate their grief journey. By offering compassion, understanding, and professional help when needed, we can help parents find solace and healing in the midst of unimaginable loss.