To born and live: one pregnant woman or newborn baby dies every 11 seconds in the world

Every year 2.8 million pregnant women or newborns die worldwide. In other words, 1 death in 11 seconds. These deaths are generally preventable. UNICEF, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Population Fund and the World Bank have released new data on maternal and infant mortality.

For mothers and their babies, childbirth is a particularly difficult phase. Complications that cause maternal mortality can occur at any time and without warning both during pregnancy and immediately after birth. According to the latest data, in 2017 more than 800 women died each day due to pregnancy and childbirth complications.

The first 28 days of life for infants are critical. For them the most risky month is the month after they are born. In 2018, there are 7,000 newborn deaths every day. One third of those deaths were recorded on the day of their birth, and one in three during the first week after birth. According to new data on infant mortality, infant deaths account for nearly half of all deaths by age 5.

“Baby births all over the world are very exciting news. However, every 11 seconds the birth of one child is a misfortune for one family, ”says UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore. “Skilled hands supporting mothers and toddlers during childbirth, along with clean water, proper nutrition, medication and vaccination, can truly solve the issue of life and death. We must do everything in our power to bring world-class healthcare coverage so that we can save those precious lives. ”

Some basic new data on child mortality:

1. Infant mortality rates decline more slowly than mortality of children up to 5 years old. In the world from 1990 to 2018, the infant mortality rate declined by 2.6 percent annually, mortality  of children up to by 5 years – by 3.6 percent annually.
2. There are huge differences between countries. For example, in sub-Saharan Africa, maternal mortality rates are 50 times higher than those in high-income countries. Mortality rates for children under 1 month are 10 times higher.
3. Most causes of deaths in infants and pregnant women are preventable and treatable. The main causes of neonatal deaths are premature or very low birth weight, complications of childbirth or congenital defects, sepsis and vomiting.
4. In 2018, nearly 6.2 million children under the age of 15 have died. Worldwide, in 2018, 85 percent of infant deaths are deaths of children under the age of 5. 2.5 million deaths were recorded for infants under one month of age, and 4 million for infants under one year of age.
5. The situation can be improved. Mortality rates for children under the age of 15 have decreased by 56 percent since 1990.
6. We must act now. If we do nothing now, we will lose 62 million children under the age of 15 in 2019-2030.

UNICEF calls on governments, the private sector and civil society to:

• Increase investment and raise awareness especially in the areas of neonatal and maternal health and target the major causes of deaths, such as pneumonia and diarrhea.
• Train medical staff and equip medical facilities with appropriate equipment.
• Invest in maternity services to strengthen the health care system.
• Provide clean, functional medical facilities with running water, soap and electricity.
• Empower adolescent girls, mothers, and families to seek and receive quality care and services.

Situation in Armenia

In 2018, there were 8 cases of maternal mortality due to complications during pregnancy, birth and postnatal period. According to data released by the RA Statistical Committee, the maternal mortality coefficient in 2018 was 21.9 points per 100,000 live births. Armenia has made progress in this area, and maternal mortality has decreased by 58% since 2000.

In terms of infant mortality in Armenia, in 2018 the infant mortality rate was 7.1 per 1,000 live births. Here, too, the situation has improved. Compared to 2000, the infant mortality rate has decreased by 55%.

However, in 2018 Armenia lost lives of  260 to one year old children and 56 to 1-4 year old children.