Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify factors linked to early neonatal death.
Neither delivery in a health facility nor by health professionals was associated with fewer neonatal deaths.
Preterm birth, Caesarean section and intrapartum complications were associated with neonatal death.
More than half (57.8%) of the women who died and one-third (33.7%) of those who experienced a perinatal death (i.e. a stillbirth or early neonatal death) had sought skilled attendance.
Relative risks were calculated to evaluate the associations between potential risk factors and neonatal death.
Five populous countries—India, Nigeria, Pakistan, China and the Congo—now account for more than half of all neonatal deaths.
Only one of the studies used showed a big increase in neonatal deaths.
In the control group, neonatal pneumonia caused meconium aspiration occurred in 9 cases, neonatal death 3 cases, while only one case pneumonia, no death in the treatment group.
Of the 20 countries with the highest maternal mortality ratios worldwide, 19 are in Africa; and the Region has the highest neonatal death rate in the world.
In pregnant women with untreated early syphilis, 25% of pregnancies result in stillbirth and 14% in neonatal death.
