The Associations Between Infant Homicide, Homicide, and Suicide Rates: an Analysis of World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control Statistics

Linear regression was used to examine associations among infant homicide, homicide, & suicide in samples of regions in the United States & other countries. Infant homicide rates were significantly & independently associated in all analyses with both total homicide & total suicide rates. The epidemiological evidence supports the clinical observation that infant homicides are due to a range of causes, including maternal mental illness, but are also related to the level of serious violence within a community. (28 refs.)