What data are needed to calculate neonatal mortality rate?

What data are needed to calculate neonatal mortality rate?

• A. Live births and neonatal deaths
• B. Total births and infant deaths
• C. Stillbirths and neonatal deaths
• D. Live births and stillbirths

Answer: (A)

Neonatal mortality rate is calculated using the babies born alive and the babies who die within the first 28 days of life. To compute it, you take the number of neonatal deaths (deaths in the first 28 days) and divide it by the number of live births in the same population and time period, then multiply by 1,000 to express per 1,000 live births. Live births are the population at risk for neonatal death, while stillbirths do not count as live births and therefore aren’t in the denominator. Neonatal deaths are the only deaths included in the numerator, and deaths after 28 days are not included. So, you need the counts of live births and neonatal deaths to determine this rate.

Neonatal mortality rate is calculated using the babies born alive and the babies who die within the first 28 days of life. To compute it, you take the number of neonatal deaths (deaths in the first 28 days) and divide it by the number of live births in the same population and time period, then multiply by 1,000 to express per 1,000 live births. Live births are the population at risk for neonatal death, while stillbirths do not count as live births and therefore aren’t in the denominator. Neonatal deaths are the only deaths included in the numerator, and deaths after 28 days are not included. So, you need the counts of live births and neonatal deaths to determine this rate.