DHSS Press Release |
Date: October 14, 1997 DHSS-1-1997 |
| Gregg C. Sylvester, M.D., Secretary Alexis Andrianopoulos, Director of Public Information (302) 255-9037, Pager (302) 247-8523 |
CHILD DEATH REVIEW COMMISSION RELEASES ANNUAL REPORT
WILMINGTON - In an effort to identify trends in child deaths and obstacles in service delivery, and with an ultimate goal of preventing future child deaths in Delaware, the Child Death Review Commission has released its first annual report, Governor Thomas R. Carper and other dignitaries announced today.
The report contains information involving child deaths from October 1995 through December 1996. Deaths reviewed included two groups of children: all infants under the age of one year, and youths under the age of 18 whose deaths were unexpected or unexplained, including deaths due to head trauma, neglect, drowning, drug ingestion, burns, homicide, suicide, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), or other factors.
A total of 47 deaths were reviewed. More than 53% of those deaths were to children under the age of one year, and 28% were to infants less than 29 days old. More than two-thirds of all deaths were considered due to natural causes.
Eighteen of the 47 deaths reviewed were considered preventable. These include deaths due to accidents, homicides, and natural causes such as prematurity. Seven of the deaths were related to SIDS.
Established by House Bill 317 and convened by Governor Carper in March 1996, the Child Death Review Commission is chaired by Dr. Richard T. Callery, Chief Medical Examiner. Members include: Carmen R. Nazario, Secretary of Health and Social Services; Thomas P. Eichler, Secretary of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families; M. Jane Brady, Attorney General; and representatives of the legal, medical, educational, and child advocacy communities.
Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.
