Analysis of mortality and leading causes of death in Chinese children under 5-year-old between 2010 and 2016 / 中华预防医学杂志

ABSTRACT

We collected death data of children under 5-year-old in China from the national child mortality surveillance system from 2010 to 2016. The change of mortality rate and causes of death were described. The mortality rate of Chinese children under 5-year-old decreased from 16.4‰ to 10.2‰ in all areas between 2010 and 2016, from 20.1‰ to 12.4 ‰ in rural areas and from 7.3‰ to 5.2‰ in urban areas, respectively, with a greater average annual decreasing rate in rural areas than urban area. During these years, in addition to traffic accidents and sepsis, other 8 cause-specific mortality rates showed a downward trend. There were substantial decreases of mortality rates of premature birth or low birth weight, birth asphyxia and neural tube defects. In urban areas, the mortality rate of premature birth or low birth weight, birth asphyxia decreased, and the mortality rate of congenital heart disease and diarrhea substantially decreased. However, there was a substantial increase of mortality rate of septicemia in urban areas. In rural areas, the change of major cause-specific mortality rates were consistent with the national trend.