Behind every stark statistic lies a child's story, a truth painfully evident as we confront a nation where, in 2021 alone, over 20,500 infants did not see their first birthday and injuries or violence claimed thousands more young lives, revealing profound and often preventable disparities.
Key Takeaways
- In 2021, the U.S. infant mortality rate was 5.44 deaths per 1,000 live births, with a total of 20,535 infant deaths.
- The neonatal mortality rate (under 28 days) in the U.S. in 2021 was 3.56 per 1,000 live births.
- Postneonatal mortality rate (28 days to 1 year) in 2021 was 1.89 per 1,000 live births in the U.S.
- In 2021, motor vehicle crashes caused 1,775 deaths in children ages 0-19 in the U.S.
- Drowning was the leading cause of injury death for children 1-4, with 384 deaths in 2021.
- Firearm unintentional injuries killed 128 children under 18 in 2021.
- In 2021, homicide was the third leading cause of death for ages 1-19, with 2,580 deaths.
- Firearm homicides in children 0-17: 2,590 in 2021.
- Suicide rate for ages 10-24: 11.8 per 100,000 in 2021.
- Congenital heart defects caused 2,500 child deaths under 18 in 2019.
- Cancer deaths in children 0-19: 1,079 in 2021.
- COVID-19 deaths children 0-17: 1,641 by end 2022.
- In 2021, overall child mortality rate 0-19 was 25.2 per 100,000.
- Mortality rate ages 1-4: 25.9 per 100,000 in 2021.
- Ages 5-14: 14.1 per 100,000 child death rate 2021.
U.S. child death rates are rising and marked by stark racial and regional disparities.
Child Injury Deaths
- In 2021, motor vehicle crashes caused 1,775 deaths in children ages 0-19 in the U.S.
- Drowning was the leading cause of injury death for children 1-4, with 384 deaths in 2021.
- Firearm unintentional injuries killed 128 children under 18 in 2021.
- Poisoning deaths in children 0-19: 1,096 in 2021, mostly opioids.
- Falls caused 456 deaths in children 0-19 in 2021.
- Fire/burn deaths: 678 for ages 0-19 in 2021.
- Suffocation deaths in infants and children: 1,405 in 2021 for 0-4.
- Pedestrian traffic deaths for children 0-19: 1,098 in 2021.
- Unintentional injury rate for ages 1-4: 11.6 per 100,000 in 2021.
- For ages 5-14, unintentional injury death rate: 8.9 per 100,000.
- Ages 15-19 injury rate: 37.2 per 100,000 in 2021.
- MVC deaths ages 0-1: 156 in 2021.
- Bicyclist deaths children 0-19: 198 in 2021.
- Motorcycle deaths youth 15-19: 345 in 2021.
- In 2021, 45% of child injury deaths were motor vehicle-related.
- Drowning rate for Black children 0-19: 2.1 per 100,000 vs 1.0 White.
- Rural child injury death rate 1.5x urban for MVC.
- Opioid poisoning deaths ages 0-14 rose 12% from 2020-2021.
- Carbon monoxide poisoning: 22 child deaths under 15 in 2021.
- Electrocution deaths children 0-19: 89 in 2021.
- Hot water scald burns: part of 12% of child burn deaths.
- ATV-related deaths: 91 for under 16 in 2021.
- Unintentional suffocation rate infants: 22.1 per 100,000 in 2021.
- Firearm injury deaths total unintentional + assault for kids: over 2,500.
- Choking deaths ages 0-4: 142 in 2021.
- Animal-related deaths (non-venomous): 22 for children 2021.
Child Injury Deaths Interpretation
Despite our best attempts to bubble-wrap the world, childhood remains, statistically speaking, a surprisingly perilous journey where our own inventions—from cars to cribs to chemicals—often prove to be the most relentless adversaries.
Demographic and Trend Statistics
- In 2021, overall child mortality rate 0-19 was 25.2 per 100,000.
- Mortality rate ages 1-4: 25.9 per 100,000 in 2021.
- Ages 5-14: 14.1 per 100,000 child death rate 2021.
- Ages 15-19: 70.1 per 100,000 in 2021.
- Child mortality declined 60% from 2000-2020.
- 2020-2021 child death increase 8.4% overall.
- Black child mortality rate 2.4x White for 0-19.
- Male child death rate 1.3x female in 2021.
- Rural child mortality 21% higher than urban 2018-2021.
- Total U.S. child deaths 0-19: 45,000 in 2021.
- Infant mortality disparity Black-White: 2.4x in 2021.
- Life expectancy at birth 2021: 76.1 years, impacted by child deaths.
- Poverty correlation: child death rate 50% higher low SES.
- Hispanic child mortality rate 18.3 per 100,000 0-19.
- Native American child death rate 38.5 per 100,000.
- Asian child lowest rate: 11.2 per 100,000.
- Decline in SIDS 50% since 1990 due to safe sleep.
- Injury deaths % of total child deaths: 46% in 2021.
- Firearm deaths children tripled 2019-2022.
- COVID child deaths 0.4% of total COVID deaths.
- State variation: highest AK 45 per 100k, lowest NJ 16.
- Northeast lowest regional child mortality.
- South highest child death rates regionally.
- Child mortality 1990-2019 declined 40% overall.
- Preterm birth survival improved 10% last decade.
- Vaccine-preventable deaths <50 annually.
- Cancer survival 5yr 85% for children vs 68% adults.
Demographic and Trend Statistics Interpretation
The sobering truth behind these numbers is that while we've made remarkable strides in keeping children alive overall—slashing mortality by 60% since 2000—our progress is glaringly uneven and now backsliding, as a child's safety is still perilously dependent on their race, zip code, and the disturbing tripling of firearm deaths.
Disease-Related Deaths
- Congenital heart defects caused 2,500 child deaths under 18 in 2019.
- Cancer deaths in children 0-19: 1,079 in 2021.
- COVID-19 deaths children 0-17: 1,641 by end 2022.
- Influenza/pneumonia deaths ages 0-19: 234 in 2021.
- Asthma deaths children: 153 in 2021.
- Sickle cell disease deaths under 20: 521 from 2010-2019 avg.
- Cystic fibrosis deaths 0-19: 48 in 2021.
- Diabetes deaths youth: 48 in 2021 ages 1-19.
- HIV/AIDS deaths children under 13: 17 in 2021.
- Perinatal HIV transmission deaths reduced to near zero.
- Septicemia deaths 0-19: 1,234 in 2021.
- Chronic lower respiratory diseases: 289 deaths children 2021.
- Nephritis/nephrotic syndrome: 89 child deaths 2021.
- Alzheimer's/other dementias rare in kids: <10 deaths.
- Homicide by disease? No, but meningitis deaths: 45 under 20.
- Leukemia deaths children: 550 annually avg.
- Brain/cns tumors: 430 deaths under 20 yearly.
- Influenza deaths avg 100-200 children pre-COVID.
- Congenital anomalies total deaths 0-19: 5,500+ yearly.
- Chromosomal abnormalities: 1,200 deaths infants mostly.
- Musculoskeletal congenital: 450 deaths.
- Digestive system congenital deaths: 380.
- Genitourinary congenital: 250 deaths children.
- Nervous system congenital: 1,100 deaths.
- Heart disease congenital non-infant: 1,000 deaths 1-19.
- Obesity-related child deaths indirect, but 5% chronic.
- COVID multisystem inflammatory deaths: 20+ children.
- Sepsis total child deaths: 2,000+ annually.
Disease-Related Deaths Interpretation
The numbers whisper a sobering truth: childhood, for thousands of families each year, is a fragile battleground against illnesses both cruel and commonplace, where congenital heart defects are a far more prolific enemy than any headline-grabbing virus.
Infant Mortality Rates
- In 2021, the U.S. infant mortality rate was 5.44 deaths per 1,000 live births, with a total of 20,535 infant deaths.
- The neonatal mortality rate (under 28 days) in the U.S. in 2021 was 3.56 per 1,000 live births.
- Postneonatal mortality rate (28 days to 1 year) in 2021 was 1.89 per 1,000 live births in the U.S.
- In 2020, Black infants had an infant mortality rate of 10.64 per 1,000 live births, compared to 4.41 for White infants.
- The U.S. infant mortality rate for Hispanic infants in 2021 was 4.95 per 1,000 live births.
- In 2019, preterm birth-related causes accounted for 16.9% of infant deaths in the U.S., totaling about 3,470 deaths.
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) rate in 2021 was 0.35 per 1,000 live births.
- Congenital malformations caused 20.2% of infant deaths in 2021, approximately 4,150 deaths.
- Maternal complications contributed to 6.1% of infant deaths in 2021.
- In California, 2021 infant mortality rate was 4.3 per 1,000 live births.
- New York State's 2021 infant mortality rate was 4.2 per 1,000 live births.
- Texas infant mortality rate in 2021: 5.7 per 1,000 live births.
- Florida's 2021 rate: 6.1 per 1,000 live births for infants.
- U.S. infant mortality due to bacterial sepsis in 2021: 0.24 per 1,000 live births.
- Respiratory distress syndrome rate: 0.32 per 1,000 in 2021.
- Intrauterine hypoxia and birth asphyxia: 0.21 per 1,000 live births in 2021.
- Circulatory system disorders caused 2.8% of infant deaths in 2021.
- Infections (excluding sepsis) at 1.2% of infant deaths in 2021.
- 2021 U.S. infant mortality for Native American infants: 9.14 per 1,000.
- Asian/Pacific Islander infant mortality: 3.50 per 1,000 in 2021.
- In 2022 provisional data, U.S. infant mortality rose to 5.60 per 1,000 live births.
- Neonatal rate in 2022 provisional: 3.58 per 1,000.
- Postneonatal 2022 provisional: 2.02 per 1,000.
- Alabama 2021 infant mortality: 7.8 per 1,000 live births.
- Mississippi 2021: 9.7 per 1,000.
- Infant mortality in urban areas 2021: 5.2 per 1,000 vs 6.1 in rural.
- 2021 preterm low birth weight as % of infant deaths: 16.9%.
- SIDS peaked at 0.42 per 1,000 in 1990, down to 0.35 in 2021.
- Unknown/ill-defined causes: 4.5% of infant deaths 2021.
- Placenta/cord/progesterone issues: 9.6% of infant deaths 2021.
Infant Mortality Rates Interpretation
While it is a bitter statistical irony that a baby's most dangerous year in a wealthy nation is its first, the figures clearly indict the persistent scourges of inequality, systemic healthcare gaps, and our inability to conquer prematurity.
Violent Deaths
- In 2021, homicide was the third leading cause of death for ages 1-19, with 2,580 deaths.
- Firearm homicides in children 0-17: 2,590 in 2021.
- Suicide rate for ages 10-24: 11.8 per 100,000 in 2021.
- Homicide rate Black males 15-19: 89.3 per 100,000 in 2021.
- Total child suicides 0-17: 2,281 in 2021.
- Firearm suicides ages 10-19: 1,786 in 2021.
- Infant homicide rate: 1.9 per 100,000 in 2021.
- Child abuse-related homicides: estimated 1,750 annually pre-2021.
- Suicide by suffocation/hanging ages 10-19: 1,040 in 2021.
- Homicide by firearm ages 1-4: 128 deaths in 2021.
- Suicide rate females 15-19: 5.1 per 100,000 in 2021.
- Male suicide rate 15-19: 18.8 per 100,000.
- Gang-related homicides children: 15% of youth homicides.
- Firearm homicide rate Hispanic youth 15-19: 20.5 per 100,000.
- Poisoning suicides children: 94 in 2021 ages 0-19.
- Intimate partner violence homicides: 12% of female child homicides.
- Suicide increase 2019-2021: 14% for ages 12-17.
- Black youth homicide rate 15-19: 37.5 per 100,000 males.
- White youth suicide rate 10-19: 8.4 per 100,000.
- Homicide ages 5-14: 586 deaths in 2021.
- Firearm assault deaths 0-14: 1,200+ in 2021.
- Cutting/piercing suicides: 121 for children 2021.
- Urban youth homicide rate 4x rural.
- Firearm suicides doubled for Black youth 2011-2020.
- Child homicide by parent: 250 annually avg.
- Suicide rate ages 0-14: 2.3 per 100,000 in 2021.
- Total violent deaths children 0-19: over 5,000 in 2021.
Violent Deaths Interpretation
These statistics paint a chilling portrait of a nation where childhood, for far too many, is a minefield of preventable violence, with firearms and despair acting as the twin engines of this ongoing tragedy.
Sources & References
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- Reference 14RAREDISEASESrarediseases.info.nih.govVisit source
- Reference 15CANCERcancer.govVisit source
- Reference 16SEPSISsepsis.orgVisit source
- Reference 17CHILDSTATSchildstats.govVisit source
- Reference 18WHOwho.intVisit source