Age-related patterns of violent death, Cook County, Illinois, 1977 through 1982
K. K. Christoffel, N. K. Anzinger and D. A. Merrill
Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University School of Medicine, Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Ill. 60614.
To clarify age-related patterns of violent death in childhood, a study was
undertaken of medical examiner records concerning 437 deaths of Cook
County, Illinois residents, aged younger than 15 years, who died from 1977
through 1982, and whose deaths were ruled as homicides or of an
undetermined manner. Males outnumbered females after the age of 1 year.
Black children were overrepresented. Perpetrators were usually parents for
victims aged younger than 5 years and others for victims aged 5 years or
older. Different circumstances of death characterized victims who were
younger (mainly beatings) and older (mainly gunshots). Incidence was
associated with urban residence and poverty, and it was highest among the
youngest and oldest children. Striking differences were found in death
rates for age subgroups within standard age groupings (eg, 19.77/100,000
for 1 and 2 years and 6.35/100,000 for 3 and 4 years). Different geographic
areas had the highest rates for younger and older victims. We conclude: (1)
Separate strategies are needed to protect the two groups at highest risk
for homicide: black children aged younger than 3 years and older than 11
years in poor urban areas. (2) Standard homicide reporting practices should
include narrow age groupings. (3) Age-related patterns of child homicide
must be considered in the planning of prevention trials. (4) Research is
needed to clarify why children of different ages are at differing risks in
different communities.
