East African medical journal
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A prospective study of neonatal morbidity and mortality was made over four months in 1990 at the neonatal unit in Muhimbili Medical Centre. The incidence of low birthweight (LBW) was 16%. Seven hundred and eighty four LBW infants and 612 heavier infants admitted for care in the unit were followed up for six weeks. ⋯ The risk of morbidity in LBW infants was increased three-fold (436/784;56%) being 73% (436/598) of the total. Factors significantly associated with increased morbidity and mortality were prematurity, birth asphyxia, sepsis, respiratory distress syndrome, hypothermia and hypoglycaemia. The majority of the deaths (83%) occurred within the first week of life.