This report discusses trends in the causes of child deaths in New Jersey in recent years and closely examines child deaths in the state in 1974. Demographic data on child deaths are reported with an emphasis on types of deaths in which neglect or nonaccidental injury are likely to have been a factor. Death certificate data were obtained from the New Jersey Department of Health for all children who died at age 8 days to 17 years in 1974. The names of these children were compared to a computer listing of all children under Division of Youth and Family Services supervision from 1967 to 1976, and it was found that 68 children were under DYFS prior to their deaths. Additional information on the circumstances surrounding the deaths of selected children was derived from Division of Youth and Family Services case records and from the New Jersey State Medical Examiner's reports. This information was used to detect patterns of child death due to infant mortality, home accidents, neglect, abuse, homicide, suicide, and motor vehicle accidents and to identify areas for further investigation and possible social intervention. (JMB)