[Analysis of mortality among children under 5 years old 
in Hunan in 2013]

To analyze the main causes and characteristics for death among children under 5 years old so as to provide the basis for taking strategic measures for child survival, development, protection.

The data of 5 747 dead children, who were under 5 years old in different cities of Hunan Province in 2013, were retrospectively analyzed. Descriptive statistic methods were used to analyze the causes and characteristics of death among the children. Chi-square test was used to analyze the differences of mortality rate.

In 2013, the under-5 mortality rate (U5MR) was 7.00‰. By linear trend chi-square test, the U5MR from 2002 to 2013 showed a tendency toward decrease (P<0.05). Among the death causes, drowning was the major one and it accounted for 13.35% of death, following by congenital heart disease, premature birth or low birth weight, pneumonia and accidental suffocation, with a ratio at 12.65%, 11.66%, 10.82%, and 8.13%, respectively. After chi-square test, there were differences in U5MR in the cities of Hunan Province in 2013 (χ2=163.185, P<0.05).

Compared with previous data, the U5MR in 2013 is decreased significantly. There are differences in U5MR in the cities, and there are also difference in U5MR between city and rural area in Hunan Province in 2013. Among the death causes for children under 5 years old in Hunan Province in 2013, drowning is in the major one, and pneumonia is the fourth one.