An estimated 4.9 million children died before their fifth birthday in 2022, a 51 per cent decrease since 2000 and a 62 per cent drop since 1990, according to a UNICEF report, which still warned such progress is "precarious" and unequal.

"There is a lot of good news, and the major one is that we have come to a historic level of under-five mortality, which… reached under 5 million for the first time, so it is 4.9 million per year," Helga Fogstad, director of health at the UN children's agency UNICEF, told AFP.

According to the report, prepared by UNICEF in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank, progress was particularly notable in developing countries such as Malawi, Rwanda and Mongolia, where early childhood mortality has fallen by more than 75 per cent since 2000.&nbsp;

"Behind these numbers lie the stories of midwives and skilled health personnel helping mothers safely deliver their newborns... vaccinating... children against deadly diseases, and (making) home visits to support families," UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said in a statement.&nbsp;

But "this is a precarious achievement," the report warned. "Progress is at risk of stagnation or reversal unless efforts are taken to neutralise the numerous threats to newborn and child health and survival."

Researchers pointed to already worrying signs, saying that the reduction in under-five deaths has slowed at the global level and notably in the sub-Saharan Africa region.

In total, 162 million children under the age of five have died since 2000, 72 million of whom perished in the first month of life, as complications related to birth are among the main causes of early childhood mortality.&nbsp;

Between the ages of one month and five years, respiratory infections, malaria, and diarrhoea become the main killers — ailments which are all preventable, the report points out.

In order to reach the UN's goal of reducing under-five deaths to 25 per 1,000 births by 2030, 59 countries will need urgent investment in children's health, researchers warned. Without adequate funding, 64 countries will miss the goal of limiting first-month deaths to 12 per 1,000 births.&nbsp;

"These are not just numbers on a page; they represent real lives cut short," the report said.&nbsp;

The numbers also reveal glaring inequalities across the world, as the sub-Saharan Africa region accounted for half of all deaths of children under the age of five in 2022.&nbsp;

A baby born in countries with high early childhood mortality, such as Chad, Nigeria or Somalia, is 80 times more likely to die before their fifth birthday than a baby born in countries with low childhood mortality rates, such as Finland, Japan, and Singapore.&nbsp;

"Where a child is born should not dictate whether they live or die," WHO head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

An estimated 4.9 million children died before their fifth birthday in 2022, a 51 per cent decrease since 2000 and a 62 per cent drop since 1990, according to a UNICEF report, which still warned such progress is "precarious" and unequal.

An estimated 4.9 million children died before their fifth birthday in 2022, a 51 per cent decrease since 2000 and a 62 per cent drop since 1990, according to a UNICEF report, which still warned such progress is "precarious" and unequal. "There is a lot of good news, and the major one is that we have come to a historic level of under-five mortality, which… reached under 5 million for the first time, so it is 4.9 million per year," Helga Fogstad, director of health at the UN children's agency UNICEF, told AFP. According to the report, prepared by UNICEF in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank, progress was particularly notable in developing countries such as Malawi, Rwanda and Mongolia, where early childhood mortality has fallen by more than 75 per cent since 2000. "Behind these numbers lie the stories of midwives and skilled health personnel helping mothers safely deliver their newborns... vaccinating... children against deadly diseases, and (making) home visits to support families," UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said in a statement. But "this is a precarious achievement," the report warned. "Progress is at risk of stagnation or reversal unless efforts are taken to neutralise the numerous threats to newborn and child health and survival." Researchers pointed to already worrying signs, saying that the reduction in under-five deaths has slowed at the global level and notably in the sub-Saharan Africa region. In total, 162 million children under the age of five have died since 2000, 72 million of whom perished in the first month of life, as complications related to birth are among the main causes of early childhood mortality. Between the ages of one month and five years, respiratory infections, malaria, and diarrhoea become the main killers — ailments which are all preventable, the report points out. In order to reach the UN's goal of reducing under-five deaths to 25 per 1,000 births by 2030, 59 countries will need urgent investment in children's health, researchers warned. Without adequate funding, 64 countries will miss the goal of limiting first-month deaths to 12 per 1,000 births. "These are not just numbers on a page; they represent real lives cut short," the report said. The numbers also reveal glaring inequalities across the world, as the sub-Saharan Africa region accounted for half of all deaths of children under the age of five in 2022. A baby born in countries with high early childhood mortality, such as Chad, Nigeria or Somalia, is 80 times more likely to die before their fifth birthday than a baby born in countries with low childhood mortality rates, such as Finland, Japan, and Singapore. "Where a child is born should not dictate whether they live or die," WHO head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

Global child mortality rate sees significant decline but UNICEF warns of stagnation

The World Health Organisation on Wednesday said that the cough syrups made by the&nbsp;pharmaceutical firm Marion Biotech based in India&nbsp;should not be used for children. The recommendation comes after the syrups were&nbsp;linked to the deaths of 19 children in Uzbekistan. Few claims were made after an analysis made by Uzbekistan's health ministry showed that the syrups, Ambronol and DOK-1 Max contained ethylene glycol, a toxic substance.&nbsp;

The ministry's analysis further added that syrups were given&nbsp;to children in high doses, either by their parents, who misunderstood it as an anti-cold remedy, or on the advice of pharmacists.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uzbekistan-four-arrested-over-indian-made-cough-syrup-deaths-550023">Also read |&nbsp;Uzbekistan: Four arrested over Indian-made cough syrup deaths</a>

The Indian ministry suspended the production of the syrup at the factory&nbsp;soon after the deaths of 19 children were reported in Uzbekistan. However, the state of Uttar Pradesh in north&nbsp;India&nbsp;has suspended the production licence of Marion&nbsp;Biotech, according to&nbsp;recent reports.&nbsp;

So far, Marion has not provided any evidence to WHO on the safety and quality of its products.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uzbekistan-syrup-deaths-who-says-its-in-touch-with-uzbek-authorities-548127">Also&nbsp;read |&nbsp;Uzbekistan cough syrup deaths: WHO says it's in touch with Uzbek authorities</a>

Recently, four people were arrested during an investigation into the cough syrup matter by Uzbekistan's state security service.&nbsp;

The Uzbekistan incident came to light after almost 70 children allegedly died&nbsp;in Gambia after consuming cough and cold syrup manufactured by Maiden Pharmaceuticals based in New Delhi. The company, though denied any wrongdoing in the matter, prompting investigations.&nbsp;

However, according to the data provided by the Indian government inspectors, no contamination was founded in the test samples taken from Maiden Pharmaceuticals.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

The World Health Organisation on Wednesday said that the cough syrups made by the pharmaceutical firm Marion Biotech based in India should not be used for children.

The World Health Organisation on Wednesday said that the cough syrups made by the pharmaceutical firm Marion Biotech based in India should not be used for children. The recommendation comes after the syrups were linked to the deaths of 19 children in Uzbekistan. Few claims were made after an analysis made by Uzbekistan's health ministry showed that the syrups, Ambronol and DOK-1 Max contained ethylene glycol, a toxic substance. The ministry's analysis further added that syrups were given to children in high doses, either by their parents, who misunderstood it as an anti-cold remedy, or on the advice of pharmacists. Also read | Uzbekistan: Four arrested over Indian-made cough syrup deaths The Indian ministry suspended the production of the syrup at the factory soon after the deaths of 19 children were reported in Uzbekistan. However, the state of Uttar Pradesh in north India has suspended the production licence of Marion Biotech, according to recent reports. So far, Marion has not provided any evidence to WHO on the safety and quality of its products. Also read | Uzbekistan cough syrup deaths: WHO says it's in touch with Uzbek authorities Recently, four people were arrested during an investigation into the cough syrup matter by Uzbekistan's state security service. The Uzbekistan incident came to light after almost 70 children allegedly died in Gambia after consuming cough and cold syrup manufactured by Maiden Pharmaceuticals based in New Delhi. The company, though denied any wrongdoing in the matter, prompting investigations. However, according to the data provided by the Indian government inspectors, no contamination was founded in the test samples taken from Maiden Pharmaceuticals. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Indian cough syrups linked to kids’ deaths in Uzbekistan should not be used, says WHO

In a small impoverished mountain village in Eastern Guatemala residents find themselves in dire straits, sinking deeper into poverty. The families are struggling to survive, the lives of children have been lost and the crisis deepens. WION brings you a report.

Guatemalan mourn death of children as hunger spreads across La Palmilla

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/teen-commits-suicide-in-madurai-police-link-it-to-blue-whale-challenge-19714">17-year-old girl daughter of a BSF soldier </a>attempted to commit suicide by jumping off a cliff into a lake.

She was rescued.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/17-year-old-russian-girl-alleged-mastermind-of-blue-whale-challenge-arrested-19722">A &quot;Blue Whale&quot; was carved into her arm</a>.&nbsp; 
 
Witnesses saw her circling the lake on a two-wheeler before jumping off the cliff. 
 
She was rescued by policemen.

The authorities handed her over to her parents.

The girl had left home on Monday night, saying she was visiting the market. 
 
When she did not return for some time, her worried parents called her on her mobile phone which was answered by a stranger.

Police officer Lekhraj Sihag and a diver, Om Prakash, had pulled the girl out of the lake.

When questioned, she reportedly said she had to &ldquo;finish a task&rdquo;.&nbsp;

She jumped off a cliff into a lake to try and kill herself. A 'Blue Whale' was carved into her arm

The 17-year-old girl daughter of a BSF soldier attempted to commit suicide by jumping off a cliff into a lake. She was rescued. A "Blue Whale" was carved into her arm. Witnesses saw her circling the lake on a two-wheeler before jumping off the cliff. She was rescued by policemen. The authorities handed her over to her parents. The girl had left home on Monday night, saying she was visiting the market. When she did not return for some time, her worried parents called her on her mobile phone which was answered by a stranger. Police officer Lekhraj Sihag and a diver, Om Prakash, had pulled the girl out of the lake. When questioned, she reportedly said she had to “finish a task”.

VIDEO: Another Blue Whale victim? 17-year-old daughter of BSF soldier attempts suicide

children-death

Children Death, News on Children Death, stories on Children Death, articles on Children Death, Children Death stories at Wion, Children Death news, Children Death latest news

children death

Global child mortality rate sees significant decline but UNICEF warns of stagnation

Indian cough syrups linked to kids’ deaths in Uzbekistan should not be used, says WHO

Guatemalan mourn death of children as hunger spreads across La Palmilla

VIDEO: Another Blue Whale victim? 17-year-old daughter of BSF soldier attempts suicide