Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

  Background : The worldwide annual incidence of neonatal mortality has been estimated as 3.7 million. Most of these deaths occur in the first 28 days of birth and in developing countries. We aimed to estimated prevalence of different related risk factors of neonatal death.

  Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was performed. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was administered and 3768 data bases were recorded. Information was collected on neonatal and maternal age at the time of delivery, neonatal gender, place of delivery, head of the family, place of living, place of neonatal death, method of neonatal admission, type of delivery, etc.

  Results: In this 3768 files related to neonatal deaths were evaluated. Mean maternal age was 24.1 ± 4.15 yrs (16-38 yrs). Mean number of deliveries was 2.8 ± 1.9 (1-12 deliveries). Mean neonatal apgar score of the first minute was 5.2 ± 2.7, while apgar score of the 5th minute was 7.3 ± 3.2. Mean neonatal weight was 1250 ± 322 gm (527-1620 gm).

  Conclusion: The main aim of the present study was to identify the factors related to neonatal mortality. These factors were mostly neonatal infections, premature labor, and low birth weight.