Why Children die - report from CEMACH

The Confidential Enquiry into Maternal and Child Health (CEMACH) has published a report entitled ‘Why Children Die: A Pilot Study’. This contains the results of a large confidential enquiry into child death across three regions of England, all of Wales and all of Northern Ireland in 2006. The report contains a quantitative analysis of 957 deaths which shows some regional and ethnic variation in death rates. Child suicide rates were higher than expected and only one-quarter of these cases were known to mental health services. The report also contains a qualitative analysis of a sample of cases, which were reviewed by multidisciplinary panels. Avoidable factors were found in 26% and potentially avoidable in a further 43%.

There was also a consultation with young people about their views about the issues and young people were involved in reviewing a sample of cases (which included injury). A separate report was produced for children and young people on the findings.

Pearson G (Ed) Why Children die: a pilot Study 2006, England (South West, North East and West midlands), Wales and Northern Ireland. London:CEMACH, 2008.

Confidential Enquiry into Maternal and Child health (CEMACH 2008) Why Children die: a pilot Study 2006. Children and Young People’s report. London; National Children’s Bureau.