Objective To obtain the mortality situation and the major death causes among children under 5 years old in Shenyang from 2008 to 2012.and explore the intervention measures. Method The monitoring mortality data of children under 5 years old were analyzed statistically. Results Mortality of children under 5 years old, infant mortality and neonatal mortality had trended down during 2008 to 2012 in Shenyang.The gap between town and countryside in mortality of children under 5 years old was decreased.Preterm and low birth weight, congenital heart disease, other congenital anomalies, birth asphyxia and pneumonia were the major causes of death in children under 5 years old. Conclusion Strengthening health education, preventing preterm, low birth weight and birth defects, improving health care level in countryside, reducing the mortality of infants especially neonates are the key points to reduce the mortality of children under 5 years.