Neonatal Health In India : UNICEF

Introduction
Child mortality is a sensitive indicator of a country’s development.  In India, the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) (under one year) has shown a modest decline in recent years.

The average decline of IMR per year between the years 2004 to 2008 has been about 1 per cent per year.

In 2008, the IMR was 53/1,000 live births. Eight states contribute to 75 per cent of infant mortality: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Gujarat and Assam. 

At the current rate of decline, India will miss the XI plan goal of reduction in IMR and the Millennium Development Goal-4 on child survival.
About 70 per cent of the childhood under-five is caused by perinatal conditions (33.1 per cent), respiratory infections (22 per cent) and diarrhea (13.8 per cent). Malnutrition is an underlying cause responsible for about one third of all deaths in childhood.
Fast Facts
• Averting neonatal deaths is pivotal to reducing child mortality. The Newborn period is the period starting from birth and continues throughout 28 days of life.

• Neonatal mortality rate (mortality in the newborn period) stands at 35/1000 lives births, and contributes to 65 per cent of all deaths in the first year of life.

• Between 2004-2008, neonatal mortality has moved from 37/1000 live births to 35/1000 only.

• 56 per cent of all newborn deaths occur in five states: UP, Rajasthan, Orissa, MP and Andhra Pradesh.

• Three major causes contribute to about 60 per cent of all deaths in the newborn period: pre-maturity and low birth weight, birth asphyxia and infections.

Key Issues
• Most of the causes of deaths in the newborn period can be prevented or managed by households, communities and health facilities. But they often are unable to provide the required care.

• Inappropriate practices such as delayed initiation of breastfeeding, delayed clothing and early bathing, not seeking care when newborns are sick and applying harmful material on cord-stump increase the risk of newborn deaths.

• Health facilities are often ill equipped to provide essential newborn care to all newborn and special newborn care to sick newborns.