Twenty-three children in the care of, or known to, the Health Service Executive died last year, according to the report of the independently-chaired HSE National Review Panel.
In 2011, 15 deaths were reported and in 2010 there were 22 deaths reported.
Deaths were due to a wide range of causes including natural causes, accidents, drug use and other factors.
Of the 38 children who died in 2011-2012, five were in the direct care of the HSE and 30 were living at home and known to the child protection services.
The independently chaired National Review Panel, set up to examine serious incidents and child deaths, published a series of reports into cases from 2012.
The cases involve children in the care of the HSE, children known to protection services and young adults between 18 and 21 years of age.
Since March 2010, the HSE has been required to notify the Health Information and Quality Authority of such cases involving children in care, such as foster care or a residential unit, or in detention at the time of their death.
The figures for the first half of this year are 11 deaths and one serious incident.
The HSE has published reports on seven cases of children and young people, none of whom were in care at the time of their death.
Review Chairperson Dr Helen Buckley said there were very disturbing findings in a small number of reports published.
Review reports have not been completed in all cases.
