Epidemiology: Mortality and Morbidity

During the past 20 years the most important indicators of maternal and child health have improved considerably in many parts of the world, with the notable exception of countries affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Nevertheless, it is estimated that out of 130 million babies that are born alive every year, almost 8 million die in their first year of life and more than 4 million die in the first 4 weeks after birth; furthermore, every year over 3,3 million fetuses are stillborn and one third of fetuses die during delivery [1].