1 in 5 child deaths in England are unexplained
A Liverpool bereavement counsellor tells us more about the new stats from England's Child Mortality Database
Nearly 20% of child deaths in England are unexpected and unexplained, a report has found.
The research, from NHS-funded Child Mortality Database, is the first national report of it’s kind and revealed 19% of child deaths remain unexplained.
Carole Ray is a counsellor from Liverpool Bereavement Service (LBS) . She has worked for the Service for over ten years and specialises in baby and child loss.
Carole told us: “I’m not shocked at the statistics of infant loss, as I see it everyday.
“I do feel shocked and saddened though that in this day and age, with modern medicine and interventions, that infants are still losing their life and dying.”
The deaths were mainly connected to sleeping arrangements.
These include when the infant was thought to be asleep or was in ‘hazardous circumstances’ like when sleeping next to an adult who had consumed alcohol.
The data also showed that for children under a year old, unexplained deaths were significantly higher in the most deprived neighbourhoods with 42%, compared to just 8% in less deprived areas.
These were strongly associated with low birthweight, prematurity, multiple births, larger families, admission to a neonatal unit, maternal smoking during pregnancy, young maternal age and parental drug misuse.
Baroness Kennedy KC, chaired the creation of the original investigation protocol for these deaths.
They said: "One striking finding is that in the unexpected deaths of children between one and 18 there is a high incidence of a family history of convulsions.
"What this tells us is that research in this area is now a priority.
"It is crucial that we identify those factors which contribute to unexpected death in children over one year old."
Support for those suffering baby and child loss is available in Merseyside.
Carole became a qualified therapist after the sudden loss of her own child in 2000.
Carole wanted to support others who had experienced child loss.
Carole told us: “Losing my daughter very suddenly and finding no help available threw me into a very dark place for about four years.
"Then I realised I had to do something to help other people.
"Counselling for baby and child loss is something I feel very passionate about.
"To be able to walk in the shoes of another bereaved parent and provide a safety net for them gives me strength and a purpose.”
LBS secured a funding grant from the National Lottery giving them the opportunity to increase the number of parents and family members they support.
Carole said: “We don’t have any funding, we fundraise for ourselves. It’s only because we managed to get a donation from the lottery that my position became available. We just hope the funding keeps coming in so that I can keep doing this really important job.”
The Liverpool Bereavement Service offer help to those who experience loss and bereavement and can be called on 0151 236 3932 or emailed enquiries@liverpoolbereavement.co.uk.
Support for siblings experiencing loss is also offered by Liverpool Bereavement Service through Oakfield.