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Causes of neonatal death
A neonatal death is the death of a baby within the first four weeks of life. The latest figures for the number of babies who died in this period in the UK nations are for 2008.
The most common causes of neonatal death in 2008 were:
- congenital anomalies (23%)
- associated obstetric factors (20%) such as premature rupture of the membranes, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and lack of oxygen during labour
- infection (13%).
While many babies die neonatally because they are born either prematurely or with a congenital abnormality, neonatal deaths are sometimes associated with antenatal management (failure to pick up on IUGR, possible infection, placental function or haemorrage) or events during labour (birth trauma or asphyxsia).
