Newsroom > DHHS News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 28, 2007

CONTACT
Jeanne Atkinson, Communications and Legislative Services Division, (402) 471-8287

Note: Sound bites from Dr. Joann Schaefer on this topic are available at: http://www.dhhs.ne.gov/audio/

Lincoln – The latest Child Death Review Team (CDRT) report shows that the number of deaths of children newborn up to age 17 has remained stable in recent years, with 301 deaths in 2000 and 302 deaths in 2004. In 1993, when child death reviews began, there were 361 child deaths in Nebraska.

The 2004 report includes the Team’s findings and recommendations based on review and analysis of the deaths of 302 Nebraska children, newborn to age 17. The report reflects data from all child deaths in Nebraska.

"Every child death breaks someone’s heart, and it’s important for us to understand the issues surrounding each death counted in the report," said Dr. Joann Schaefer, CDRT chairwoman. "Having said that, it’s one way to help prevent future deaths and drive the numbers down lower. Unfortunately, not every death is preventable, but many are."

Dr. Schaefer is also director of the Division of Public Health and Chief Medical Officer for the Department of Health and Human Services.

The top five causes of death for children newborn to age 17 for 2004 were:

• Pregnancy-related – 87
• Birth defects – 74 deaths
• Motor vehicle-related incidents – 40 deaths
• Unintentional injuries – 22 deaths
• Cancer/malignant neoplasms – 19 deaths

The report indicates that in 2004:

• Infants under 12 months old accounted for 57% of all deaths, consistent with previous years.
• Pregnancy-related factors accounted for 28.8% of all deaths, a combined category of maternal complications during pregnancy, labor and delivery problems, and prematurity. All but two of these 87 deaths were infants less than 12 months old.
• Birth defects accounted for one in four of the infant and child deaths (24.5% or 74 deaths).
• One-fourth (26.5%) of all deaths were attributed to non-medical conditions, the majority of which were preventable.

Overall death rates for African-American, Native American and Hispanic children were higher than for White and Asian children, a pattern observed during previous review periods.

"Disparities that persist among different race and ethnic groups are some of the most unnerving data we see as a division, indicating that improved health care and education information has not reached all families," Dr. Schaefer said. "Focusing our efforts on building culturally competent health care services can help change that and make a difference for families."

Team recommendations to help prevent future deaths include:

• Preconception care should be considered a vital and routine aspect of care for all reproductive age women, to reduce perinatal risk factors and improve pregnancy outcomes.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all pregnant women have access to HIV counseling and testing and when indicated, antiretroviral medications during labor to prevent HIV transmission to their babies.
• Women of child-bearing age, whether or not they plan on becoming pregnant, should consume a daily multi-vitamin containing 400 micrograms of folic acid, which is the best way to prevent neural tube defects.
• Existing SIDS prevention regulations, messages and initiatives should be expanded to include other "Safe Sleep" issues and options.
• Parents should limit the number of teenage passengers a teen driver may carry.
• Children under 16 should not ride or drive adult size all terrain-type vehicles (ATVs) under any circumstances.
• Parents who keep firearms in the home must understand the importance of storing unloaded firearms and ammunition in separate, locked and inaccessible locations.
• Young children should never be unsupervised in or near water, even shallow wading pools.
• Health care providers should stay up to date on findings regarding risk factors for, causes and treatment for childhood cancers.
• Children diagnosed with cancer should be enrolled in clinical trials in order to receive access to the newest experimental treatments.

The Child Death Review Team was established by the Nebraska Legislature in 1993 to undertake a comprehensive, integrated review of existing records for all child deaths in Nebraska. The full 2004 report, which includes a listing of CDRT members, can be viewed at http://www.dhhs.ne.gov/hew/fah/CDRteam/recommendations.htm

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