Neonatal Mortality Rate is defined as deaths occurring before 28 days of life, per 1000 live births. Which option matches this definition?

• A. Death before 28 days per 1000 live births
• B. Deaths before first birthday per 1000 births
• C. Deaths from birth to 1 year per 1000
• D. Deaths in the neonatal period per 1000 population

Answer: (A)

Neonatal mortality rate measures deaths of newborns in the first 28 days of life, relative to the number of live births in a population and expressed per 1000 live births. The statement that matches this definition says deaths occurring before 28 days of life per 1000 live births. This aligns with counting only those babies born alive (not stillbirths) and focusing on the 0–28 day window. The other options mix a longer time frame (up to 1 year) or use a different denominator (population or “births” rather than live births), which shifts the measure away from the neonatal definition.