The top causes of death in children vary by age group. According to data from 2021 for children aged 5 to 9 in the U.S., here are the leading causes:
Leading Causes of Death (Ages 5-9, U.S., 2021)
| Rank | Cause of Death | Percentage of Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Unintentional injuries | 34.4% |
| 2 | Cancer (malignant neoplasms) | 14.4% |
| 3 | Assault (homicide) | 7.8% |
| 4 | Congenital malformations, deformations, and chromosomal abnormalities | 7.1% |
| 5-10 | Other causes (not itemized) | Remaining % |
Key Insights:
- Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death in this age group, highlighting the importance of child safety measures. This includes injuries such as accidents (e.g., traffic accidents, drowning).
- Cancer is a significant concern, representing the second-leading cause of death.
- Assault is a tragic reality, ranking as the third leading cause.
- Congenital issues also contribute to a notable percentage of deaths.
Note: This data specifically covers children aged 5-9 in the U.S. Other age groups and countries may have different distributions of leading causes of death. Data beyond the top 4 leading causes for this age group was not included in the provided references.
