BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The first year of life in the provision of health infrastructure and improvment of the life quality is very important. Because the mortality in the neonatal period and infancy is unclear in Babol, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of neonatal and infancy mortality in Babol from 2010 to 2014 in rural areas.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study was done based on existing and registered data over a period of 5 years in rural areas. In this study, all deaths to 28 days and one month to one year of live births were examined in rural areas covered by Babol University of Medical Sciences based on reason and gender.

FINDINGS: The number of live births in rural areas of Babol in years of 2010 to 2014 was 2895, 2844, 2951, 3080 and 2801, respectively. The number of deaths under one year during the years of 2010 to 2014 was 19, 32, 24, 21 and 20, respectively. The lowest neonatal mortality rate in years of 1392 and 1393 was 3.57 in 1000 and the highest rate was in 1391, about 5.42 per 1,000 live births, respectively. The highest mortality during infancy was in year of 2011 about 5.89 and the lowest mortality was in year of 1389 about 2.76 per thousand people.

CONCLUSION: The results showed that the neonatal and infancy mortality rate in Babol has been relatively stable and favorable.