In 2024, a total of 15,370 infant deaths were registered in Kenyan health facilities, with prematurity and birth asphyxia being the leading causes, accounting for 4,112 fatalities.
Pneumonia followed as the second most common cause with 1,912 registered deaths, highlighting persistent respiratory health challenges among infants.
Respiratory disorders contributed to 1,170 deaths, while neonatal conditions were responsible for 974.
Sepsis and gastroenteritis also posed significant threats, causing 460 and 389 deaths, respectively. Other notable causes included septic shock (334), meningitis (298), heart disease (245), and anaemia (242).
These statistics, drawn from the Kenya Vital Statistics Report 2024 by KNBS, emphasize critical areas for intervention in infant healthcare.
