neonatal mortality rate prevalence in motazedi hospital of kermanshah (2002-2003)

introduction: one of the most important criteria for health is neonatal mortality. mortality in neonatal period is high, that is about 65% of mortality in infancy occurs below the age of one year. this study was conducted to determine mortality rate in neonates in motazedi hospital of kermanshah during 2002 to 2003. materials & methods: this descriptive study was conducted on the dead neonates in motazedi hospital. data collected from the subjects' profiles were included: age, sex, birth weight, maternal age, maternal disease, multiparty, type of delivery, day and cause of death. collected data were analysed using spss software. results: 451 cases out of 6400 delivery were hospitalised during the study. 156 cases died, of which 59.6% were boys and 40.4% girls, among them 85.9% were premature and 84.6% were lbw. among 96.2% neonates death in the first week, 57.7% were premature and 55.8% nvd. the most common cause of death was hmd. 12.8% of mothers admitted with echlampsia and preechlampsia. 25% of mothers were more than 35 years old and 10.9% of them were less than 16 years old. conclusion: prematurity and lbw were the most common cause of death in the neonatal period, thus controlling these two factors may lead to decrease of mortality rate in neonates.