Connecticut Child Fatality Review Panel Issues 10-Year Report

Between 1 January 2001 and 1 January 2011, the Connecticut Child Fatality Review Panel has investigated the deaths of 1,529 children. The panel recently released a report on those deaths and provided a number of recommendations designed to reduce the number of children who die each year.

According to the report, 840 of the deaths reviewed were due to natural causes. (Note: the panel does not review many natural deaths from cancer, complex heart conditions, chronic health conditions, asthma, complications associated with prematurity, and other acute illnesses.) The panel also reviewed 400 accidental child deaths, 106 child homicides, and 77 child-youth suicides. In addition, the panel reviewed 106 child deaths for which the cause was undetermined.

Recommendations offered by the panel in this report include:

• continue collaborative efforts related to all child safety initiatives and other public awareness campaigns that
  keep the focus on safety as the first step in preventing injury and death;
• encouraging strong partnerships to reduce underage drinking, binge drinking, and prescription drug abuse;
• supporting efforts for positive ways for youth to deal with anger;
• continuing statewide efforts to prevent abusive head trauma stemming from abuse in infants and children; and
• working with key community stakeholders to support public education and awareness efforts to reduce the risk of suicide.

To access the complete report (with its complete list of recommendations), please visit:

CT Child Fatality Review Panel: An Examination of Connecticut Child Fatalities: A Ten Year Review January 1, 2001 to January 1, 2011 (December 2011)

Media report:

Hartford Courant: Child Fatality Review Panel Issues 10-Year Report (15 DEC 11)

Background information:

Connecticut Child Fatality Review Panel