Major cause of neonatal mortality rate is?

UPUMS Nsg officer-2023

Child Health Nursing (Pediatrics)

Medium

Appeared in: UPUMS Nsg officer-2023

Explanation

The neonatal period (first 28 days of life) is the most vulnerable time for a child's survival.
While preterm birth is the leading single cause of neonatal death, other factors like birth asphyxia and birth injuries are also major contributors.
These causes are often interrelated; for example, a preterm infant is more susceptible to both asphyxia and injury.
Because Preterm birth, Asphyxia, and Birth injury are all classified as major causes of neonatal death, the most complete and accurate option is 'All of the above'.

Option A: This option is incomplete. While birth injury is a significant cause of neonatal mortality, it is not the only one. Preterm birth and asphyxia are also major contributors.
Option B: This option is incomplete. Asphyxia is a leading cause of death, especially around the time of birth, but preterm birth complications are an even larger contributor globally.
Option C: This option is incomplete. Although preterm birth is the single leading cause of neonatal mortality, asphyxia and birth injuries are also classified as major causes that contribute significantly to the overall rate.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain The primary causes contributing to the neonatal mortality rate as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A nurse's role is critical in reducing neonatal mortality through health education, quality antenatal care, skilled attendance at delivery, and immediate newborn care.
Key nursing actions include promoting antenatal check-ups to identify at-risk pregnancies, preparing for and performing neonatal resuscitation in cases of asphyxia, and providing specialized care for preterm and low-birth-weight infants (e.g., Kangaroo Mother Care, thermoregulation).
Patient safety depends on early recognition of problems during labor that could lead to birth injury or asphyxia, and prompt escalation to the obstetric team.

How to Approach the Question

First, understand the question's core concept: it asks for the 'major cause' of neonatal mortality.
Next, analyze the options provided: Birth injury, Asphyxia, and Preterm birth.
Recall or deduce from your knowledge that the neonatal period is the first 28 days of life and is a high-risk period.
Evaluate each option's validity. You should recognize that all three are indeed significant causes of death in newborns.
Notice the fourth option: 'All of the above'. When this option is present and you've identified that multiple other options are correct, it is a very strong candidate for the right answer.
Conclude that since preterm birth, asphyxia, and birth injuries are all major causes, the most comprehensive and correct choice is 'All of the above'.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 2 — Subpart A (pp 1-232 of 464) pp. 63-65, 64-66, 33-35