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Child health

Despite notable advancements and progress made by many countries in reducing child mortality rates, millions of children continue to lose their lives before turning five.

Photo by United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

39% of under-5 child deaths in 2021 were due to neonatal disorders, such as preterm birth and sepsis.
Over 500,000 children under 5 years of age died from lower respiratory infections globally in 2021.
Nearly 13,000 children under 5 years of age, on average, died every day in 2021, with over 4.5 million child deaths under the age of 5 in total.
500,000 children were born with sickle cell anemia in 2021 and 79% of those infants were in sub-Saharan Africa.

Interactive data visuals

Interactive Data Visual

MCV Coverage

Explore local patterns of annual childhood MCV1 coverage estimates from 2000 to 2019.

Interactive Data Visual

Oral Rehydration Therapy

Explore local patterns of coverage of oral rehydration solution (ORS), recommended home fluids (RHF), and oral rehydration therapy (ORT) from 2000 to 2017.

Interactive Data Visual

Double Burden of Malnutrition

With this dynamic map visualization tool, explore local patterns in child overweight and wasting, from 2000 to 2019. Observe trends at multiple spatial scales and search to view trends in specific countries and local areas.

Interactive Data Visual

Child Growth Failure

Delve into local patterns in child stunting, wasting, and underweight across all low- and middle-income countries from 2000 to 2017.

Datasets in our catalog

Visit the Global Health Data Exchange (GHDx) to download our estimates and data sources for child health.

Scientific Publication

Progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 for neonatal and child health

Publications

Scientific Publication

Prevalence, years lived with disability, and trends in anaemia burden by severity and cause, 1990–2021

Infographics

Reports

Report

A generation lost: the devastating effect of malnutrition on children with clefts

This report details the impacts of malnutrition in under-5 children with cleft throughout the world by merging the data collected on patients by Smile Train clinical partners with the estimates and insights on the direct health consequences of malnutrition from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study.

Related

Health topic

Diet