Child death rate higher among poor say doctors

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) said the nation needs to get to grips with the growing gap between rich and poor to have any impact on high mortality rates.

Meanwhile public health policies to reduce child deaths are “piecemeal”, according to the RCPCH’s latest report.

Youngsters in the UK are at a higher risk of premature death than their peers in western Europe, the Why Children Die report says.

The document, complied alongside experts from the National Children’s Bureau (NCB), says 3,000 babies died before the age of one and 2,000 youngsters aged one to 19 died during 2012.

Many of the deaths among babies occurred because of pre-term delivery and low birth weights, while injury is the most frequent cause of death among children over the age of one.

There are “marked social inequalities” in death rates, the report states. For instance, mothers who smoke during pregnancy, which can lead to a plethora of adverse health problems for youngsters, are most likely to come from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The authors of the report said more must be done to tackle inequalities in deprivation – including withdrawing the new cap on welfare spending.

They said many child deaths could be prevented though a combination of changes in society, political engagement and improved training for healthcare workers.

Other actions which could be taken include: introducing a 20mph speed limit in built-up areas to prevent road deaths; better education about health at school; and the introduction of a minimum unit price for alcohol.

The report says health services do not always deliver optimal care for children and young people, and lives may be lost as a result.

The authors called for better training for healthcare staff to ensure they are confident of spotting symptoms among sick children.

“If we’re to make real inroads into reducing these tragic mortality figures, we cannot do it alone. It’s time that political parties of all colours took health inequalities seriously,” said RCPCH president Dr Hilary Cass.