The latest WHO report indicates that there were 4·5 million maternal and newborn deaths globally in 2022. Of these, 1·9 million were stillbirths and 2·3 million were neonatal deaths (age <28 days), with nearly 60% occurring in low-income and middle-income countries.1 Infants born preterm (<37 weeks of gestation), small for gestational age (SGA), or who have low birthweight (LBW; <2500 g) have a substantially higher risk of maternal and child mortality;2 these conditions are collectively responsible for up to 80% of all neonatal deaths worldwide.
The latest WHO report indicates that there were 4·5 million maternal and newborn deaths globally in 2022. Of these, 1·9 million were stillbirths and 2·3 million were neonatal deaths (age <28 days), with nearly 60% occurring in low-income and middle-income countries.1 Infants born preterm (<37 weeks of gestation), small for gestational age (SGA), or who have low birthweight (LBW; <2500 g) have a substantially higher risk of maternal and child mortality;2 these conditions are collectively responsible for up to 80% of all neonatal deaths worldwide.