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Despite progress made in reducing under-five mortality worldwide, significant gaps remain in order to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3 of ending preventable newborn and child deaths by 2030. With 47% of global child deaths occurring in the newborn period (first 28 days), addressing newborn health and survival is essential.
The burden of neonatal deaths is particularly pronounced in sub-Saharan Africa, where 39% of global deaths occur. Thirty-five percent of neonatal deaths are a result of complications, of which the majority are related to low birth weight (<2.5 kgs) caused by intrauterine growth restriction and/or prematurity.