Your browser version may not work well with NCBI's Web applications. More information here...
1: Lancet. 2005 Mar 5-11;365(9462):891-900.
Related Articles, Links
Click here to read
Comment in:
4 million neonatal deaths: when? Where? Why?

Lawn JE, Cousens S, Zupan J; Lancet Neonatal Survival Steering Team.

Saving Newborn Lives/Save the Children-USA, and International Perinatal Care Unit, Institute of Child Health, London, Cape Town, South Africa. joylawn@yahoo.co.uk

The proportion of child deaths that occurs in the neonatal period (38% in 2000) is increasing, and the Millennium Development Goal for child survival cannot be met without substantial reductions in neonatal mortality. Every year an estimated 4 million babies die in the first 4 weeks of life (the neonatal period). A similar number are stillborn, and 0.5 million mothers die from pregnancy-related causes. Three-quarters of neonatal deaths happen in the first week--the highest risk of death is on the first day of life. Almost all (99%) neonatal deaths arise in low-income and middle-income countries, yet most epidemiological and other research focuses on the 1% of deaths in rich countries. The highest numbers of neonatal deaths are in south-central Asian countries and the highest rates are generally in sub-Saharan Africa. The countries in these regions (with some exceptions) have made little progress in reducing such deaths in the past 10-15 years. Globally, the main direct causes of neonatal death are estimated to be preterm birth (28%), severe infections (26%), and asphyxia (23%). Neonatal tetanus accounts for a smaller proportion of deaths (7%), but is easily preventable. Low birthweight is an important indirect cause of death. Maternal complications in labour carry a high risk of neonatal death, and poverty is strongly associated with an increased risk. Preventing deaths in newborn babies has not been a focus of child survival or safe motherhood programmes. While we neglect these challenges, 450 newborn children die every hour, mainly from preventable causes, which is unconscionable in the 21st century.

Publication Types:
PMID: 15752534 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]