Report details top causes of death for children under three in Connecticut

Infant Deaths in Connecticut Linked to Non-Natural Causes

According to a July 2023 report from the Connecticut Office of the Child Advocate, there were 97 infant deaths in Connecticut linked to non-natural causes between January 2019 and August 2022.

Surveyed Cases

The report focused on cases in which the child was less than 3 years old when they died. Out of the 97 cases, 85 infants who died under non-natural circumstances were younger than 12 months old.

Investigation and Substantiation

The majority of child fatalities were investigated by the Department of Children and Families (DCF), and neglect or abuse was substantiated in 30 of the cases.

Demographics

63% of the infants who died were male, and more than half were Black, Hispanic, or both.

Infant Deaths by Location

Hartford had the highest number of infant deaths reported in the observed time period with 12 deaths, followed by New Haven (11), Bridgeport (8), and Waterbury (5).

Fentanyl Intoxication

The report highlighted a significant number of infant fatalities linked to fentanyl intoxication, which had not previously been observed in children under three. 8.2% of the observed infant deaths were due to fentanyl ingestion.

Leading Cause of Preventable Infant Death

The leading factor in preventable infant death in Connecticut is asphyxiation brought upon by unsafe sleeping positions. This includes co-sleeping with a parent, blankets, pillows, toys, and laying children on their stomachs or sides instead of their backs.

Manners and Causes of Infant Death

The report classified non-natural infant deaths into three categories: accident, homicide, and undetermined.

1. Accident:
   • Sleeping asphyxiation
   • Motor vehicle accidents
   • Choking
   • Medical care complications
   • Animal injury
2. Homicide:
   • Fentanyl intoxication
   • Drowning
   • Head injury
   • Smothering
3. Undetermined:
   • Unsafe sleeping positions

State Agency Involvement

The report collected data from state agencies to determine which services families who experienced infant loss were utilizing when the death occurred.

• 81% of children who died were on Medicaid
• About 50% were enrolled in the Department of Public Health’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
• DCF had open cases for 26% of the families in the study within a year of the child’s death
• 12 families received benefits or services from the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood
• About 7% of birth mothers who experienced a child death utilized Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services programs
• Over 12.5% of the same group of mothers were involved with the Judicial Branch Court Support Services Division

Recommendations

The Office of the Child Advocate recommended the following:

• Increased funding for early childhood support and services
• Expansion of public campaigns supporting safe sleeping habits for infants and warning about the risks of child opioid exposure
• Training for caregivers and emergency responders to administer Naloxone on children in emergencies

To prevent sudden sleep-related deaths, the OCA recommends lying children on their back to sleep on a firm, flat, and non-inclined surface with no obstructions.

For more information on preventing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, visit the National Institute of Health’s “Safe to Sleep” page.

You can also read the full OCA report here.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births.
• SDG 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs.
• SDG 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
• SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
• SDG 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator: Number of infant deaths linked to non-natural causes
• Indicator: Proportion of infant deaths due to fentanyl ingestion
• Indicator: Number of infant deaths due to unsafe sleeping positions
• Indicator: Proportion of children on Medicaid who are enrolled in the Department of Public Health’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children
• Indicator: Proportion of families with open cases in the Department of Children and Families within a year of a child’s death

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: nbcconnecticut.com

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