A child who loses his parent is called an orphan. A person who loses a spouse is called a widow or widower. Try as I might, I could not find a name to describe a parent who outlives his or her child, because such a tragedy remains unspeakable and unthinkable. A child dies every 10 seconds and, even more shockingly, almost 3 million children die in the first month of life (UNICEF). The death of these children before their first birthday is known as infant mortality. Most child deaths occur in less developed countries, where children often die at home, unnamed and unregistered. Primary factors contributing to child mortality may include poverty, lack of access to quality education, and environmental pollution. First, poverty is the leading cause of infant mortality. As defined by the Encyclopedia Britannica, “Poverty is said to exist when people lack the means to meet their basic needs.” ("Poverty"). The basic needs of children are nothing more than food and adequate medical care. Without good nutrition or effective medical care, their chances of survival are minimal. Poor countries struggle with malnutrition, which is reflected in the unequal distribution of children's food, as well as in the quality and quantity of food. Lack of proper nutrition for children or a diet low in calories, proteins, essential vitamins and minerals is a sign of malnutrition. Furthermore, as Kara Rogers presents in “The Science of Nutrition,” in some parts of Africa, “the practice of weaning breast-fed infants onto a diet composed primarily of one type of starchy food, such as cassava, can lead to protein deficiencies” (94). , or vitamins have a serious impact on the health of the child and in most cases cause specific nutrition...... middle of paper ......those who survive run a high risk of brain, respiratory and digestive problems in early life ." Exposure of newborns to high concentrations of various pollutants such as car exhaust, chemicals from factories, dust, pollen, mold and pesticides can lead to various respiratory problems, immune system disorders, cancer or even death . In general, people tend to take for granted the delicious food they eat, the medicines they take, the clean water they drink and the fresh air they breathe. However, they should be aware that just blinking twice and a child leaves because he is hungry, dehydrated. , sick or exposed to unhealthy air. Only by taking a moment to think about it, to educate ourselves and to understand more deeply the factors that cause infant mortality, we become aware and ready to change something for all children who are condemned to have an illness. unjust fate.