The dynamics of child survival

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511542480.009

7 - The dynamics of child survival

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 August 2009

Emily K. Rousham and

Louise T. Humphrey

Edited by

Helen Macbeth and

Paul Collinson

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Emily K. Rousham: Affiliation:
Department of Human Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leics LE11 3TU, U.K.
Louise T. Humphrey: Affiliation:
Department of Palaeontology, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW17 5BD, U.K.
Helen Macbeth: Affiliation:
Oxford Brookes University
Paul Collinson: Affiliation:
Oxford Brookes University

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Summary

Introduction

Changes in child survival rates are very significant in the dynamics of human populations, and mortality is an important variable in studies of demography, genetics and anthropology. Furthermore, rates of child survival provide an important indication of the general biological welfare of a population.

Children are a particularly vulnerable group, both physically and socially, within human populations (Caldwell 1996). This vulnerability is reflected in mortality rates, which are highest during infancy, decrease from 1 to 4 years and reach a minimum from 5 to 9 years of age. The physical vulnerability of children stems from an immature immune system, rendering them particularly susceptible to infectious diseases. This is coupled with a high energy and nutrient requirement relative to body weight. These intakes are required to fuel the high energy demands of the human brain, as well as for somatic growth and development. One of the most critical periods for child survival is the weaning period, typically from six months onwards, when infants make the transition from dependence on mother's milk to reliance on the local diet (Martorell 1995). Children are also socially vulnerable, being entirely dependent on adult carers for the first year of life and remaining highly dependent up to the age of five. This social dependence means that children are susceptible to conscious or unconscious neglect (Caldwell 1996).

This chapter examines the sociocultural and biological correlates of child survival, contrasting populations with low and high survival rates.

Type: Chapter
Information: Human Population Dynamics
Cross-Disciplinary Perspectives
, pp. 124 - 140

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511542480.009 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2002

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