Annual report shows rise in child fentanyl deaths in Kansas

KANSAS (KSNT) - The Kansas State Child Death Review Board published its 2024 annual report detailing child mortality in the Sunflower State.

The report used 2022 data, stating the last review period saw 389 child deaths that were attributed to natural, unintentional injuries, homicide, suicide and undetermined causes. The report found that child deaths increased in 2022.

Affecting Infants

The report found that infant mortality had shown a downward trend over the last five years. The state saw 6.1 deaths per 1,000 live births. The report said the "Healthy People 2030" national goal for infant mortality is 5 deaths per 1,000 live births by 2030.

The leading cause of death was prematurity and congenital anomalies, according to the report.

Of the deaths impacting infants:

• 158 were natural.
• 41 were undetermined.
• Nine were unintentional injuries.
• Two were homicides.

Affecting Children Ages 1-17

Child mortality for ages 1-17 was on a downward trend until 2020, according to the report. In 2020, there were 144 deaths for the age group. That number jumped to 176 in 2021 and 179 in 2022.

The report found that Black/non-Hispanic children in the age group had a mortality rate more than three times higher than White/non-Hispanic children. The report found that there were 21.2 White/non-Hispanic deaths and 72 Black/non-Hispanic deaths from 2018 to 2022.

White/non-Hispanic children had the lowest death rate in all categories.

Of the deaths affecting children ages 1-17:

• 69 were natural.
• 65 were unintentional injuries.
• 21 were suicides.
• 20 were homicides.
• Four were undetermined.

Drug Related Deaths

In 2022, Kansas had 16 drug-related deaths for children ages 0-17. The report found fentanyl was the deadliest illicit drug impacting children in Kansas with 33 deaths. Methamphetamine was the second most deadly drug, killing seven children.

"One Pill Can Kill –A youth was discovered unresponsive the morning following a night out
with a friend. Reports indicate the youth had shown his friend a blue M30 pill which they
believed to be a prescription pain pill. The youth died from a fentanyl overdose."

An excerpt from the report.

Fentanyl deaths were 22 times greater in 2020 compared to 2018 and 2019. A total of 51 deaths were recorded for 2018-2022:

• 33 were accidents.
• Nine were undetermined.
• Seven were suicides.
• Two were homicides.

Firearm-Related Deaths

In 2022, 30 children died from firearm injuries; a decrease from the year prior which saw 44 firearm-related deaths. According to the report, firearm injuries can include homicides, suicides and unintentional injury deaths. Other circumstances could include domestic violence or law enforcement intervention.

From 2018 to 2022 firearm-related deaths were attributed to:

• 72 homicides.
• 70 suicides.
• Eight accidents.
• Four undetermined.

You can read the full report by clicking here.

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