In the past year, 46 babies were born, 2 died within 4 weeks, and there were 4 stillbirths. What is the neonatal mortality rate?

In the past year, 46 babies were born, 2 died within 4 weeks, and there were 4 stillbirths. What is the neonatal mortality rate?

• A. 27.8/1000
• B. 43.5/1000
• C. 86.9/1000
• D. 130.4/1000

Answer: (B)

Neonatal mortality rate measures deaths of newborns within the first 28 days per 1,000 births. In this scenario there are 46 births total, including 4 stillbirths, and 2 neonatal deaths. If you follow the convention used in this item (births as the base, counting all births), the rate is 2 divided by 46, times 1000, which equals 43.5 per 1,000. This matches the provided answer. Keep in mind that the standard definition uses live births in the denominator (births minus stillbirths). Using that approach would be 2/42 × 1000 ≈ 47.6 per 1,000. Always check how the question defines the denominator to determine which calculation to use.

Neonatal mortality rate measures deaths of newborns within the first 28 days per 1,000 births. In this scenario there are 46 births total, including 4 stillbirths, and 2 neonatal deaths. If you follow the convention used in this item (births as the base, counting all births), the rate is 2 divided by 46, times 1000, which equals 43.5 per 1,000. This matches the provided answer.

Keep in mind that the standard definition uses live births in the denominator (births minus stillbirths). Using that approach would be 2/42 × 1000 ≈ 47.6 per 1,000. Always check how the question defines the denominator to determine which calculation to use.