Child and adolescent violent deaths: an epidemiologic investigation.
OBJECTIVE
An apparent increase in violent deaths among children and adolescents in Detroit, MI in 2002 prompted a coordinated epidemiologic investigation involving federal, state and local organizations.


METHODS
A descriptive analysis of cases and violent deaths (homicide, suicide or firearm-related) among juveniles <17 years was conducted, along with a case-control study using records from the medical examiner, police, schools and social service agencies.


RESULTS
Twenty-nine cases were identified. Median age was 10 years (range 1 day-16 years), and 15 (52%) were male. There were 25 homicides, two suicides and two unintentional firearm-related deaths. Nine (31%) homicides resulted from child abuse and neglect, and eight (28%) were among bystanders. The most common mechanism of fatal injury was firearm (63%). Victims' families were more likely to have a history of familial violence, prior contact with the state social services agency, > or = 2 adults and > or = 4 persons in the household (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The 2002 deaths did not represent a statistically significant increase from previous years. Several findings were remarkable: the proportion of deaths among bystanders, females and children age <5.
McGowan
Angela Kay
AK
Epidemiology Program Office, Atlanta, GA, USA. amcgowan@cdc.gov
Crosby
Alex E
AE
La Hasbrouck
Mar
M
Boulton
Matthew L
ML
Kanluen
Sawait
S
Maseru
Noble A W
NA
D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000367:Age Factors; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002423:Cause of Death; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006708:Homicide / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008824:Michigan / Q000453:epidemiology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014754:Violence / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data