Characteristics of Child Deaths and Near-Deaths Resulting From Violence or Maltreatment

U.S. children suffer higher rates of death resulting from violence than children in economically comparable countries. Prevention of violent injury relies on robust data regarding demographic and contributing factors. This retrospective study of records from the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator (OMI), the University of New Mexico Children’s Hospital (UNMH), and the UNMH child protection team examined demographic and risk factors for child deaths and near-deaths resulting from violence or maltreatment (abuse or neglect) during the period August 1, 2019 - September 30, 2022. The OMI is the only forensic laboratory in the state, and UNMH is the state’s only pediatric trauma hospital. 76 children met inclusion criteria; 60 of these died. Most victims were male. Firearm injuries were most common among adolescents, and other injury mechanisms predominated among younger victims. Parent intimate partner violence (IPV) was more common among children who suffered non-fatal injuries than fatal; and parent IPV, current or prior child protective services involvement, and parent substance use were identified more often in children with non-firearm injuries versus firearm. Other risk factors did not discriminate between groups. Pooling data for serious non-accidental child injury would increase the data available for epidemiologic studies and prevention efforts.