Neonatal mortality pattern in rural based medical college hospital

The present study was undertaken to establish priorities in neonatal care and to find out neonatal mortality pattern in a rural based medical college hospital. One hundred and twentythree neonatal deaths out of 1461 live births constituted the study material. The neonatal mortality rate was 84.2/1000 live births. The mortality in preterm, full term and post term infants was 43.13,4.02,7.02 percent respectively (p<0.001). The mortality in relation to birth weight was 100 percent (<1000 g); 71.43 percent (1000–1499 g); 37.14 percent (1500–1999 g); 7.63 percent (2000–2499 g) and 2.94 percent (>2500 g). Almost 70 percent of all deaths were because of severe birth anoxia and septicemia (including meningitis) either alone or in combination.