Neonatal and perinatal mortality: country, regional and global estimates

This report provides estimates of the number of deaths that occur during childbirth and the newborn period by country, regional groupings and globally. It describes different ways of measuring these death rates and explains the methods used to obtain the estimates. The results show that over four million babies die in the first four weeks of life and that more than 3.3 million babies are stillborn every year. The report suggests that compared with earlier estimates, global and regional death rates have slowly declined with the most noticeable improvements in South America. Under five and infant mortality rates are decreasing at a faster rate than mortality rates for newborn babies.

The report concludes that universal access for women to care in pregnancy and childbirth and care of the newborn is required to improve the chances for both mother and baby. It recommends interventions to help ensure the survival and health of newborn infants. These include: safe and clean delivery, and early detection and management of sexually transmitted diseases, infections and complications during pregnancy and delivery. Attention to the needs of the newborn– resuscitation when necessary; immediate breast feeding; warmth and hygiene – will also help ensure the survival and health of newborn infants.