Although injury death rates have declined in the past two decades for children ages 1–14, unintentional injuries remain the leading cause of death for children ages 1–4 and ages 5–14. In addition, nonfatal injuries continue to be important causes of child morbidity, disability, and reduced quality of life.¹ Among children ages 1–14 in 2023, there were 4,388 fatal injuries and more than 4 million emergency department (ED) visits for nonfatal injuries.² The leading causes of injury differ for children and adolescents (see PHY8.A).

Indicator PHY7.A Emergency department visit rates for children ages 1–4 and 5–14 by leading causes of injury, 2021–2022

• In 2021–2022, the leading cause of injury-related ED visits for children ages 1–4 was falls. For children ages 5–14 over the same time period, the leading causes were falls and being struck by or against an object or person.
• In 2021–2022, the rate of ED visits for falls was 45 visits per 1,000 children ages 1–4 and 24 visits per 1,000 children ages 5–14. Falls accounted for 33% of initial injury-related ED visits for children ages 1–4 and 26% of initial injury-related ED visits for children ages 5–14.
• The rate of injury-related ED visits resulting from being struck by or against an object or person was 17 visits per 1,000 children ages 1–4 and 18 visits per 1,000 children ages 5–14.

Indicator PHY7.B Death rates among children ages 1–14 by all causes, all injury causes, and age group, 2013–2023

Indicator PHY7.C Death rates among children ages 1–14 by cause of death and age group, 2023

• Among children ages 1–4, the all-cause death rate did not significantly change from 2013 to 2020 and then increased from 23 deaths per 100,000 in 2020 to 27 deaths per 100,000 in 2023. The injury-related death rate did not significantly change from 2013 to 2019 and then increased from 9 deaths per 100,000 in 2019 to 11 deaths per 100,000 in 2023.
• Among children ages 5–14, the all-cause death rate increased from 13 deaths per 100,000 in 2013 to 15 deaths per 100,000 in 2023. The injury-related death rate increased from 5 deaths per 100,000 in 2013 to 7 deaths per 100,000 in 2023.
• In 2023, unintentional injuries (accidents) were the leading cause of death for children ages 1–4 (9 deaths per 100,000) and ages 5–14 (4 deaths per 100,000). The second leading cause of death was birth defects for children ages 1–4 (3 deaths per 100,000) and cancer for children ages 5–14 (2 deaths per 100,000).
• Among both children ages 1–4 and 5–14, males had higher death rates than females. In 2023, males ages 1–4 had a death rate of 31 deaths per 100,000, compared with 24 deaths per 100,000 for females. Among children ages 5–14, males had a death rate of 17 deaths per 100,000, compared with 12 deaths per 100,000 for females.

 PHY7.A HTML Table | PHY7.B HTML Table