Newborn death and illness Updated September 2011 Millennium
Development Goal (MDG) 4 The fourth Millennium Development Goal
(MDG 4) aims to reduce the 1990 mortality rate among under-five
children by two thirds. Child mortality is also closely linked
to MDG 5- to improve maternal health. Since more than one third
of all child deaths occur within the first month of life,
providing skilled care to mothers during pregnancy, as well as
during and after birth, greatly contributes to child survival.
Millennium Development Goals adopted by the United Nations in
2000 aim to decrease child deaths worldwide by 2015. - Every
year nearly 41% of all under-five child deaths are among newborn
infants, babies in their first 28 days of life or the neonatal
period. - Three quarters of all newborn deaths occur in the
first week of life. - In developing countries nearly half of all
mothers and newborns do not receive skilled care during and
immediately after birth. - Up to two thirds of newborn deaths
can be prevented if known,