Neonaticide more than five times higher than official estimates

The killing of a newborn baby within the first 24 hours of its life is far more common than previously realised.

Though considered to be rare, the number of neonaticides is more than five times higher than official estimates say.

The new research published online in the Fetal and Neonatal edition of the Archives of Disease in Childhood, finds that low self-esteem and emotional immaturity rather than mental health issues and social disadvantage are the main causes.

The French research reviewed case records and psychiatric assessment of the mothers from cases presented at 26 courts in three regions of France where the death of a newborn child was involved.

A third of the cases were found to be unlawful killings during a baby’s first day of life.
Researchers reviewed the records of the cases, analysing the characteristics where the mother had been involved.

The typical profile of a mother who had killed a child was found to be one who lived with the dead child’s father, most likely already having had at least three children, aged around 26 years and held down jobs.

The authors of the research conclude: “Feeling very much alone, and for nearly half of them, depressed, [these women] probably did not have complete control over their lives or their sexuality.

“Neonaticide thus appears as a solution when an unwanted pregnancy risks creating a family scandal, or the loss of one’s partner or a satisfying lifestyle.

“Our findings suggest that preventive action, targeting only young, poor, unemployed and single women, or women in pregnancy denial, may not be appropriate.”