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Table 4 Observed consequences of poor registration systems on neonatal health.

From: Unreported births and deaths, a severe obstacle for improved neonatal survival in low-income countries; a population based study

International and national levels

• The magnitude of neonatal mortality in the country is underestimated, and the flow of resources from major stake-holders is misguided

• The monitoring of indicators for the Millennium Development Goals will be arbitrary without valid information.

• Targeting of interventions to those most in need will be impossible.

Regional and local levels

• Awareness of neonatal mortality as a major health problem will be low, and interventions proved to reduce neonatal mortality will not be implemented.

• If any, measures taken to improve reproductive health will be inadequate since the interventions needed differ substantially between high and low mortality settings.

• At a local level, the perinatal period will not be perceived as a period of increased risk for mother and child, resulting in poor preparations and precautions for pregnancy and delivery.