Leading causes of neonatal deaths in South Africa (2017) 36% Preterm birth complications20% Intrapartum related events14% Sepsis | tetanus10% Congenital abnormalities 0% Diarrhoea5% Pneumonia15% Other conditions Source: Estimates generated by the WHO and Maternal and Child Epidemiology Estimation Group (MCEE) 2018 and downloaded from http://data.unicef.org key indicators 11 Newborn mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 live births) 2.6 Annual reduction in newborn mortality rate 2000-2018 (%) 32 Proportion of under-5 child deaths that are newborn (%) 17 Stillbirth rate (deaths per 1,000 births) 97 Skilled birth attendance (%) 67 Early initiation of breastfeeding (%) 12 Preterm birth rate (births <37 weeks per 100 live births) 119 Maternal mortality ratio (deaths per 100,000 live births) Visit our Newborn numbers page to explore the most recent data further Featured Resources Countdown country profile – South Africa The Countdown country profile presents in one place the best and latest evidence to enable… RESOURCES Barriers and facilitators of facility-based kangaroo mother care in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review Articles The crowded space of local accountability for maternal, newborn and child health: a case study of the South African health system Articles COVID-19 Monitoring and Evaluation in South Africa Articles View All Related Resources FROM THE BLOG Call to action: Conflict of interest and the infant formula industry October 22, 2019 Equitable access to human milk: A vital solution that lacks global standards March 14, 2019 Solving crowded hospitals and inadequate maternal care are keys for reducing infant mortality December 3, 2018 View All Related Posts IN THE NEWS South Africa steps up its game to end mother-to-child transmission of HIV January 29, 2020 Kangaroo Mother Care Awareness Campaign September 3, 2019 Kenya’s first human milk bank finally ready to save babies’ lives April 4, 2019 View All Related Articles Partners Maternity Foundation The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health Rice 360° Institute for Global Health Powerfree Education and Technology Neonatal Nurses Association of Southern Africa Helping Babies Breathe International Stillbirth Alliance Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu Natal Global Alliance to Prevent Prematurity and Stillbirth (GAPPS) Save the Children
