Child mortality from trauma and sudden death rising in England, study shows

Exclusive: Bristol University study finds ‘strong social gradient’ linking poverty with increase in mortality

Child mortality from trauma and sudden unexpected death increased last year, according to figures highlighting the stark impact of poverty on child health.

The analysis, which tracked all child deaths in England between 2019 and 2022, found overall mortality dipped during the pandemic due to a decrease in infectious illnesses, but that numbers of deaths have since returned to pre-pandemic levels. This included a 32% increase in trauma deaths and a 13% rise in sudden unexpected death in infancy or childhood (Sudic) last year compared with pre-pandemic rates.

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​Exclusive: Bristol University study finds ‘strong social gradient’ linking poverty with increase in mortalityChild mortality from trauma and sudden unexpected death increased last year, according to figures highlighting the stark impact of poverty on child health.The analysis, which tracked all child deaths in England between 2019 and 2022, found overall mortality dipped during the pandemic due to a decrease in infectious illnesses, but that numbers of deaths have since returned to pre-pandemic levels. This included a 32% increase in trauma deaths and a 13% rise in sudden unexpected death in infancy or childhood (Sudic) last year compared with pre-pandemic rates. Continue reading…