Intimate Partner Violence Against Women and Mortality Among Children Younger Than 5 Years: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

IMPORTANCE

Intimate partner violence (IPV) against women is a persistent global public health concern with lasting impacts on the health of affected women and their children. Although previous studies suggest a potential link between IPV and mortality among children younger than 5 years (under-5 mortality [U5M]), the evidence remains inconclusive.

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether different forms of IPV are associated with under-5, infant, and neonatal mortality.

DATA SOURCES: Seven databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL) were searched from database inception to April 22, 2026.

STUDY SELECTION: Studies were included if they examined the association between forms of IPV (any IPV or subtypes such as physical, sexual, emotional violence, or partner control behavior) and under-5, infant, and neonatal mortality. Two reviewers independently conducted study selection.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses reporting guideline was followed. Risk of bias was assessed using the Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies of Exposures tool. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted to estimate pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight studies comprising 684 065 participants were included in the systematic review, of which 25 were included in the meta-analyses. IPV was associated with higher odds of U5M (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.05-1.16), infant mortality (OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.11-1.57), and neonatal mortality (OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.19-1.55). Physical IPV (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.17-1.61), sexual IPV (OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.33-2.17), and emotional IPV (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.07-1.56) were associated with higher odds of neonatal mortality. Physical IPV was also associated with higher odds of infant mortality (OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.01-1.44). No statistically significant associations were observed between IPV subtypes and U5M.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, IPV against women was associated with higher odds of under-5, infant, and neonatal mortality. These findings suggest the importance of addressing IPV within child health strategies.