Neonatal care statistics

Mum holding hands with baby in incubator

Every year, over 90,000 babies are cared for in neonatal units in the UK because they have either been born prematurely (before 37 weeks of pregnancy), or full term (after 37 weeks) but sick.

This means that around 1 in 7 babies born in the UK each year are admitted onto neonatal units.

Prematurity statistics in the UK

View our statistics on the number of babies born premature in the UK and some information about the long term outcomes for these babies.

Baby born at term in incubator with his head to the side

Statistics for babies admitted to neonatal…

Read statistics about babies who are born after 37 weeks of pregnancy and the reasons why they received neonatal care

Baby's tiny foot being held by a parent's thumb and index fingers

Neonatal mortality in the UK

Sadly, some babies who are born needing care do not survive. This is devastating for families, and can be one of the hardest times they will ever face.

The global picture

On this page, we share some global statistics for prematurity and neonatal mortality.

Statistics about neonatal care

Find out statistics about neonatal care, including how many babies are admitted to neonatal care each year and how long a baby typically spends on a neonatal unit.

Download references

Download the reference list for all of the pages on neonatal care statistics (Word document).