[Analysis of under 5 years old children mortality and the leading death cause in China from 1996 to 2000].

Objective: To study the trend of under 5 years old children mortality and the leading cause of the deaths in China from 1996 to 2000.

Methods: The data presented in this report were obtained from the national child mortality surveillance network, including 116 counties (cities) throughout China. The target population was all children under 5 years old in the monitored areas whose mothers or fathers had resided in the area for at least one year.