HC Deb 02 March 1982 vol 19 cc126-7W
Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the major causes of death of children aged (a) under one year, (b) under two years and (c) under five years old, giving their risk in order of their current importance; if he will give the number who have died in each age group from each cause in the last year for which

Major causes of child mortality in England and Wales in 1980
ICD Cause Age Under 1 Year Age Under 2 Years Age Under 5 Years
760–779 Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period 3,133 3,137 3,140
740–759 Congenital anomalies 2,113 2,218 2,339
780–799 Signs, Symptoms and ill-defined conditions 1,035 1,064 1,065
of which
798.0 Sudden infant death syndrome 1,021 1,047 1,048
480–487 Pneumonia and influenza 458 496 538
460–466 Acute respiratory infections 224 252 282
800–999 Injury and poisoning 191 277 495
320–389 Diseases of the nervous system and sense organs 152 202 250
001–139 Infectious and parasitic diseases 126 166 202
033 Whooping cough 6 6 6
All causes 7,899 8,395 9,085

Broad groups of causes have been selected for this table in order to give an overall view of child mortality. The selection of more specific categories would, of course, change the order of presentation.