India's Sample Registration System (SRS) 2020 data reports an Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) of 32 per 1000 live births and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) of 28 per 1000. The Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) is 20 per 1000. The proportion of child deaths under age 5 occurring in the neonatal period is approximately:

• A 71.4%
• B 87.5%
• C 55.0%
• D 62.5% ✓

Explanation

Proportion of under-5 deaths in neonatal period = NMR / U5MR × 100 = 20/32 × 100 = 62.5%. This calculation uses the rates per 1000 live births as proxies for proportions. This tells us that among all children dying before age 5, about 62.5% die in the neonatal period (first 28 days) — underscoring neonatal mortality as the priority. The proportion is calculated using U5MR (not IMR) as the denominator for the under-5 death burden.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.