What is the leading cause of death in children over the age of one year?

The leading cause of death in children over the age of one year is accidents. This includes fatalities due to a variety of unintentional injuries, such as those from motor vehicle crashes, drownings, falls, and other incidents. The prevalence of accidents as a leading cause of death in this age group reflects the increased mobility and independence that children experience as they grow older, often leading to higher exposure to risk.

In contrast, while illnesses like pneumonia, congenital disabilities, and heart diseases are significant health concerns, they tend to have a more substantial impact on infant mortality or can be managed effectively with medical advancements. After the first year of life, the risk of death from these health concerns is generally lower compared to the high incidence of injuries resulting from accidents. Accidental injuries stand out due to their unpredictability and the need for lingering parental supervision to mitigate risk as children become more active and exploratory. This makes accidents the leading cause of death in this demographic.