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Updated: Oct 5, 2026
Biochemical Measurement of Neonatal Hypoxia
Published on: August 24, 2011
Neonatal mortality of low-birth-weight infants in Bangladesh
Insights
Low birth weight (LBW) nearly doubles neonatal mortality in Bangladesh. Preterm birth is the main cause of neonatal deaths, which often occur within the first week of life.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Health
- Public Health
- Perinatal Epidemiology
Background:
- Low birth weight (LBW) is a significant risk factor for neonatal mortality globally.
- Understanding the specific determinants of neonatal mortality in resource-limited settings is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the impact of low birth weight on neonatal mortality in a periurban area of Bangladesh.
- To identify key factors contributing to neonatal deaths in this population.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study of low birth weight neonates born in a Dhaka hospital.
- Follow-up of 776 neonates at one month of age, including home visits and hospital record reviews.
Main Results:
- The neonatal mortality rate (NMR) for LBW infants was 133 per 1000 live births.
- Preterm delivery was associated with a significantly higher NMR (769 per 1000 live births for <32 weeks gestation).
- 84% of neonatal deaths occurred within the first seven days, with half within 48 hours.
Conclusions:
- Low birth weight approximately doubles the neonatal mortality rate in this periurban Bangladeshi setting.
- Preterm delivery is the primary driver of neonatal mortality.
- Low-cost essential newborn care interventions could significantly reduce mortality in the most vulnerable infants.
Objective:
To ascertain the role of low birth weight (LBW) in neonatal mortality in a periurban setting in Bangladesh.
Methods:
LBW neonates were recruited prospectively and followed up at one month of age. The cohort of neonates were recruited after delivery in a hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and 776 were successfully followed up either at home or, in the event of early death, in hospital.
Findings:
The neonatal mortality rate (NMR) for these infants was 133 per 1000 live births (95% confidence interval: 110-159). The corresponding NMRs (and confidence intervals) for early and late neonates were 112 (91-136) and 21 (12-33) per thousand live births, respectively. The NMR for infants born after fewer than 32 weeks of gestation was 769 (563-910); and was 780 (640-885) for infants whose birth weights were under 1500 g. Eighty-four per cent of neonatal deaths occurred in the first seven days; half within 48 hours. Preterm delivery was implicated in three-quarters of neonatal deaths, but was associated with only one-third of LBW neonates.
Conclusion:
Policy-relevant findings were: that LBW approximately doubles the NMR in a periurban setting in Bangladesh; that neonatal mortality tends to occur early; and that preterm delivery is the most important contributor to the NMR. The group of infants most likely to benefit from improvements in low-cost essential care for the newborn accounted for almost 61% of neonatal mortalities in the cohort.
