Systematic estimates of global causes of neonatal and under 5 mortality in 2000-24: secondary data analysis using bayesian multinomial logistic regression

The authors aimed to estimate cause-specific mortality among neonates and children under five across 195 countries from 2000 to 2024 using a Bayesian multinomial logistic regression model. Their findings revealed that preterm birth complications were the leading cause of death, followed by lower respiratory infections and intrapartum-related events, while highlighting a concerning slowdown in the decline of under-five mortality rates since 2016. The study underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions in high mortality countries to meet sustainable development goals for child mortality.