A Comparison Study on Rate and Causes of under 5 Years Old Deaths in Iran, Eastern Mediterranean Region and the World

Children’s mortality has been recognized as a health indicator as well the human millennium growth development. This study aimed to compare the rate and causes of under 5 children deaths in Iran, Eastern Mediterranean Region and the world using the World Health Organization in 2012 and The Millennium Development Goals Report in 2014.
It was a Descriptive - secondary data analysis. Different health and population data sources from national and international reports particularly from World Health Organization and The Millennium Development Goals were assessed. Then the cause specific mortality rates for under-five children in Iran as well as 20 Eastern Mediterranean countries were analyzed and compared with their corresponding worldwide statistics.
Under 5 children mortality rate in Eastern Mediterranean Region was 57 per 1000 births which are in second rank of the world after the African region. This figure is 18 in Iran that is in the 11th rank in Eastern Mediterranean Region In 2012, in the world and Eastern Mediterranean Region more than one-third of the children’s deaths related to prematurity and respiratory infections, but in Iran, prematurity (23%) was the most cause of death following genetic disorders.
Death rates in under five children have a decreasing trend in the world, Eastern Mediterranean Region and Iran during 1990 to 2012. This figure is on average of Eastern Mediterranean Region in Iran. Under 5 children mortality rate in Iran is higher than the world average most related to injuries, genetic disorders and prematurity, therefor these causes must be considered as a priority by decision makers and health planners in Iran.