Demography and health indicators: early neonatal mortality: practice question

A PSM question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

Try it

PSM · Demography and health indicators: early neonatal mortality

Sample item

In a district with 6,000 live births in a year, 54 babies died in days 0 to 6, 36 died in days 7 to 27, and 60 died between day 28 and the first birthday. What is the early neonatal mortality rate?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. 9 per 1,000 live births

The early neonatal mortality rate counts deaths in the first 7 days per 1,000 live births, so 54 divided by 6,000 gives 9. The neonatal rate adds days 7 to 27 (90 deaths, 15), the post-neonatal rate is 60 deaths (10), and the infant mortality rate is all 150 deaths (25).

Option by option

  • A. 10 per 1,000 live births

    This is the post-neonatal mortality rate, from 28 days to under 1 year.

  • B. 9 per 1,000 live births (correct)

    Correct. 54 deaths in the first week among 6,000 live births is 9 per 1,000.

  • C. 25 per 1,000 live births

    This is the infant mortality rate, covering all deaths before the first birthday.

  • D. 15 per 1,000 live births

    This is the neonatal mortality rate, which includes deaths up to 28 days.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More PSM questions

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is B, 9 per 1,000 live births. The early neonatal mortality rate counts deaths in the first 7 days per 1,000 live births, so 54 divided by 6,000 gives 9.

Why is "10 per 1,000 live births" not the answer?

This is the post-neonatal mortality rate, from 28 days to under 1 year.

Why is "25 per 1,000 live births" not the answer?

This is the infant mortality rate, covering all deaths before the first birthday.

Why is "15 per 1,000 live births" not the answer?

This is the neonatal mortality rate, which includes deaths up to 28 days.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Demography and health indicators: early neonatal mortality in PSM. The neonatal rate adds days 7 to 27 (90 deaths, 15), the post-neonatal rate is 60 deaths (10), and the infant mortality rate is all 150 deaths (25).

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Demography and health indicators: early neonatal mortality?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.