Which of the following are among the most frequent causes of death for children under five?

• A. Pneumonia and diarrheal diseases
• B. Malaria and HIV/AIDS
• C. Cancer and diabetes
• D. Accidents and injuries

Answer: (A)

Young children are most vulnerable to infectious diseases, especially respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. Pneumonia kills many under-fives because their airways are small, their immune systems are still developing, and access to timely treatment can be limited. Diarrheal diseases are deadly when dehydration and electrolyte imbalances occur, and the risk is higher in places with unsafe water, poor sanitation, and malnutrition. Because these conditions have high incidence and high mortality in early childhood, they consistently rank among the top causes of death for children under five worldwide.

Malaria and HIV/AIDS are significant in certain regions, but they don’t account for the same global share of under-five deaths as pneumonia and diarrhea. Cancer and diabetes are rare causes of death in this age group, and injuries tend to become a more prominent issue as children grow older and more mobile.