Continuing Impact of Infectious Diseases on Childhood Deaths in England and Wales, 2003-2005

Data on the contribution of specific infections to childhood deaths in developed countries are limited. Infection-related deaths in children aged 28 days to 14 years who died in England and Wales between 2003 and 2005 were identified from routine anonymised death certificate dataset provided by the Office for National Statistics to the Health Protection Agency, using predefined International Classification of Diseases codes for infection. Infections continue to make a major contribution to deaths in children, particularly among those with underlying conditions. Identification of the pathogens associated with childhood deaths should help prioritise the development of intervention strategies for reducing paediatric mortality. Linkage of death registrations to national infectious disease surveillance systems should be undertaken to strengthen monitoring of infectious deaths and evaluate the effect of interventions. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2010;29(4):310-13.