Neonatal death

 

In the UK in 2018, 2,020 babies died within the four week of life. That’s one baby in every 360 births

The number of babies who die in the neonatal period (the first 28 days after birth) has dropped over the last decade, largely because of advances in medical knowledge and clinical care. But recently the mortality rate has plateaued.

 

Causes of Neonatal Death

 

The most common causes of neonatal death include:

  • congenital anomalies
  • associated obstetric factors such as premature rupture of the membranes, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and lack of oxygen during labour
  • Infection

​Most neonatal deaths are associated with these, or other causes but some neonatal deaths are associated with antenatal management or events during labour.