Top 10 Causes of Death in Children Under 10
The top 10 causes of death in children under 10 years globally are pneumonia, diarrhea, preterm birth complications, intrapartum-related events (birth asphyxia), malaria, congenital anomalies, neonatal sepsis, injuries (particularly road traffic accidents), measles, and HIV/AIDS.
Global Burden of Child Mortality
According to the most recent and comprehensive data from the Global Burden of Disease Study and WHO estimates, child mortality remains a significant global health challenge with distinct patterns:
Leading Causes by Age Group
Neonatal Period (0-28 days):
- Preterm birth complications (17.7%)
- Intrapartum-related events/birth asphyxia (11.6%)
- Neonatal sepsis/pneumonia (10%)
- Congenital anomalies
Post-Neonatal Period (1-59 months):
- Pneumonia (19%)
- Diarrhea (18%)
- Malaria (8%)
- Injuries
- Measles
Regional Variations
- Infectious diseases account for 54% of all child deaths globally 1
- Malaria shows the greatest regional variation, with 94% of global deaths occurring in Africa
- Pneumonia remains the single greatest killer of children worldwide, responsible for approximately 700,000-900,000 childhood deaths annually 2
Detailed Analysis of Top Killers
1. Pneumonia
- Responsible for 19% of all deaths in children under 5 3
- 81% of pneumonia deaths occur in the first 24 months of life 2
- Most common bacterial causes include Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae 2
2. Diarrheal Diseases
- Account for 18% of deaths in children under 5 3
- Preventable with low-cost interventions including oral rehydration therapy and zinc supplementation
3. Preterm Birth Complications
- Responsible for 10% of under-5 deaths 3
- Particularly significant in the neonatal period
4. Intrapartum-Related Events (Birth Asphyxia)
- Account for 8% of under-5 deaths 3
- Require improved obstetric and neonatal care
5. Malaria
- Causes 8% of under-5 deaths globally 3
- Highly concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa
6. Congenital Anomalies
- Neural tube defects are among the most common congenital malformations 4
- Significant cause of mortality, particularly in settings with limited surgical capabilities
7. Neonatal Sepsis
- Often linked with pneumonia in the neonatal period
- Accounts for a significant portion of neonatal deaths
8. Injuries
- Unintentional injuries are the number one killer of children ages 1-18 years in many developed countries 4
- Road traffic accidents represent a significant proportion of these deaths
- Injury deaths account for more years of potential life lost than many other causes combined 4
9. Measles
- Despite vaccination efforts, remains a significant cause of death
- Part of the 21.7% of under-5 deaths that are vaccine-preventable 1
10. HIV/AIDS
- Particularly significant in high-prevalence regions
- Has both direct effects on infected children and indirect effects through orphanhood and family disruption 4
The Role of Undernutrition
Undernutrition is an underlying cause in 53% of all deaths in children under 5 years 3, making it a critical factor that exacerbates vulnerability to the direct causes listed above.
Progress and Prevention
Since 2000, under-5 mortality has declined substantially, primarily due to decreases in deaths from:
- Lower respiratory infections
- Diarrhea
- Preterm birth complications
- Intrapartum-related events
- Malaria
- Measles 1
However, the pace of decline varies considerably across regions and mortality strata. If evidence-based interventions were universally available, an estimated 63% of child deaths could be prevented 5.
Key Prevention Strategies
- Immunization against bacterial pathogens (S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae type b) and viral diseases (influenza, measles)
- Improved nutrition to address the underlying factor of undernutrition
- Better obstetric and neonatal care to reduce deaths from preterm birth complications and birth asphyxia
- Enhanced access to antibiotics and supportive care for pneumonia and sepsis
- Injury prevention through improved road safety and supervision
Understanding these leading causes of child mortality is essential for developing targeted interventions and allocating resources effectively to reduce preventable child deaths globally.