There were 3,743 deaths in children in the year ending March 2023 - up from 3,452 the previous year, estimates for England suggest.

The National Child Mortality Database shows deaths were highest for children of black or black British ethnicity, and those living in the poorest areas.

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) said the statistics were "devastating".

It said rising child poverty was a major concern.

The figures suggest the steepest rise in deaths was for children under five. Researchers are doing more work to understand the factors behind this.

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