Neonatal mortality rate in Bangladesh is 24.20 deaths per 1000 live births in 2013 according to the World Bank. The leading causes of neonatal death in Bangladesh are perinatal asphyxia at 39% of deaths, preterm and low birth weight babies at 21% of deaths, and sepsis at 16% of deaths. High neonatal mortality is also attributed to social factors like illiteracy, ignorance, poverty, superstition and religious beliefs in Bangladesh.

1. Neonatal Mortality
Rate in
Bangladesh
Hafiza Afrin
Nursing Instructor,JBFNI
BSN(DU),MPH(NSU)

2. Neonatal mortality rate is the numberNeonatal mortality rate is the number
of neonates dying before reaching 28of neonates dying before reaching 28
days of age; per in per 1000 live births.days of age; per in per 1000 live births.
In Bangladesh Neonatal Mortality RateIn Bangladesh Neonatal Mortality Rate
(per 1000 live births) are 24.20 in(per 1000 live births) are 24.20 in
2013(According to the World Bank)2013(According to the World Bank)
Neonatal Mortality Rate:Neonatal Mortality Rate:Neonatal Mortality Rate:Neonatal Mortality Rate:

3. Causes of newborn death:
The major causes of
neonatal deaths worldwide
are -
1. Infections (36%)
- Sepsis
-Pneumonia,
-Tetanus
-Diarrhoea,
-Acute Respiratory
Infection(ARI)

4. 2.Pre-term/ Low Birth weight baby (28%)
3.Birth asphyxia (23%)
4.Birth Injury (4 %)
5.Congenital (5%)
6.Unspecified (4%)
7.Other causes (2%)

6. The most important cause of neonatal deaths in
Bangladesh is-
1. Perinatal asphyxia (39%)
2. Preterm, Low birth weight and IUGR (21%)
3. Septicaemia (16%)
4. Neonatal Jaundice(6%)
5. Very severe pneumonia(3%)
6. Congenital abnormality, birth injuries & other
causes account for 13-18% of neonatal death
Causes of newborn death in Bangladesh:

7. 7.Social factors for such
high neonatal
morbidity & mortality
are-
– Illiteracy
– ignorance,
– poverty,
– superstition and
– religious belief.