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Infant and Child Death Review: 2017 reviews show rises in accidental and asphyxia deaths; data set limited
Summary
Dawn Porter and Dr. Abdul Adabi reported that reviewers examined 149 of 188 eligible deaths from 2017, noted increases in accidental deaths and motor‑vehicle crashes among 10–14‑year‑olds, a 40% rise in asphyxia deaths among infants under 1, and highlighted data‑quality improvements but also limitations for attributing policy effects.
Dawn Porter, coordinator of the Infant and Child Death Review Program, and Dr. Abdul Adabi of Arkansas Children’s Hospital presented the program’s review of 2017 child deaths to the Senate Children and Youth Committee.
Porter said there were about 457 child deaths in Arkansas in 2017; 188 met eligibility for review and 149 were reviewed. Among reviewed cases, 81 were accidental deaths, of which 28 involved motor‑vehicle crashes. The panel reported an 18 percent increase in motor‑vehicle crashes among males ages 10–14 and an 11 percent increase in crashes where no restraint was used. The review identified 28 asphyxia‑related deaths among reviewed cases and reported a 40 percent increase in asphyxia deaths in children under 1; reviewers attributed some changes to improved death investigations and reporting systems.
The presenters also reported 13 drowning deaths reviewed and a 24 percent decrease in drowning deaths among 1–4‑year‑olds between 2016 and 2017. The review documented 21 suicide cases (highest among ages 15–17) and 10 homicide cases; reviewers noted a 40 percent increase in homicide deaths for children under 1 while homicide rates declined for 15–17‑year‑olds.
Representative Mayberry asked whether Arkansas’s passenger restrictions for 16–18‑year‑old drivers had demonstrably reduced teen crashes. Dr. Adabi and Porter said the review can examine timing and trends but isolating the effect of a single law is difficult because of confounding factors; they offered to provide more detailed, offline analysis.
The committee thanked the presenters and closed the report without immediate policy recommendations; members were invited to pursue further analysis with ICD staff.
