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Pitt County child fatality team reports 2023 reviews, urges expanded prevention outreach
Summary
Local Child Fatality Prevention Team described statutory changes, mandatory reporting starting July 1, 2025, recent review results and ongoing prevention work including safe‑sleep crib distribution and firearm safety collaborations.
Vashtie, coordinator of Pitt County’s women’s and children’s health education programs, presented the local Child Fatality Prevention Team annual update at the Board of Health meeting in May.
She told the board the state’s child fatality system was restructured by law in 2023 and that the local team must begin mandatory case reporting to the new statewide system on July 1, 2025. "The local team reviews child deaths and study ways to prevent future child fatalities," she said.
Vashtie said the county identified 31 child deaths in 2023 and that the subcommittee chose seven cases for deep review; the remaining deaths were predominately related to prematurity or birth defects. Causes covered by the local team’s reviews included unsafe sleep, suicide by firearm, motor vehicle crashes, drug overdose, sudden unexpected infant death and violence involving firearms.
The presentation catalogued current prevention activities and gaps: a safe‑sleep program that distributes Pack 'n Plays for $10 and provides community education; gun‑lock and safe‑storage efforts by the Department of Social Services, ECU Firearm Safety Coalition and East Carolina Injury Prevention; and school‑based violence and anti‑bullying training needs. Vashtie said the local team is not yet fully staffed and listed openings for representatives from the Community Action Agency, school system, Guardian ad Litem and childcare/Head Start.
The team also plans a community training event tied to Firearms Awareness Day on June 2 and is collaborating with Children's Hospital Family Wellness and Prevent Child Abuse for a morning session of presentations and training.
Board members asked about the report lag and sampling period; Vashtie explained the reviews are typically about one year behind because of case adjudication and medical records closure. She urged continued prenatal and newborn education and outreach to improve early prenatal care and preconception health.
The update was accepted as information; no formal board action was taken during the meeting.
