In a certain population, there were 4050 births in the last one year. There were 50 still births. 50 infants died within 7 days where as 150 died within 28 days. What is the Neonatal mortality rate?
## **Core Concept**
The Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) is a critical indicator of newborn health and is defined as the number of deaths of newborns under 28 days of age per 1000 live births. It is a key measure used in public health to assess the quality of prenatal care, delivery services, and postnatal care.
## **Why the Correct Answer is Right**
To calculate the Neonatal Mortality Rate, we first need to determine the number of live births, which is the total number of births minus the stillbirths. Given that there were 4050 births and 50 stillbirths, the number of live births is 4050 - 50 = 4000. The neonatal deaths are those that occurred within 28 days of life, which is given as 150. The formula for NMR is: (Number of neonatal deaths / Number of live births) * 1000. Substituting the given values: (150 / 4000) * 1000 = 37.5.
## **Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
- **Option A:** This option is incorrect because the calculation does not match the provided numbers and the correct formula application.
- **Option B:** This option suggests a rate of 12.5, which does not align with the correct calculation of NMR based on the provided data.
- **Option D:** This option suggests a higher rate than calculated, indicating a miscalculation or incorrect use of numbers.
## **Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
A key point to remember is that the Neonatal Mortality Rate specifically refers to deaths within the first 28 days of life per 1000 live births. This indicator is crucial for healthcare planning and evaluating the effectiveness of newborn care interventions.
## **Correct Answer:** C. 37.5.