Deaths in early childhood in west Cumbria.

Investigation of deaths in early childhood is one method of assessing the quality of child care in a district. This paper describes a study carried out in one health district, on children in the age group one week to five years: 28 deaths occurred over a two-year period, 25 of these in the first year of life. The deaths are classified according to potential preventable factors. The study gave a more detailed picture of mortality patterns in the district than was previously available. Parents found the home interview in the study helpful in allowing them to explore their worries about the child's death.