Addressing the Causes of Newborn Death Three main causes of death—infections, birth asphyxia, and preterm birth complications and low birth weight—account for an estimated 86 percent of all newborn deaths. Save the Children’s Saving Newborn Lives program, together with partners in the18 countries where it works, continues to develop the most innovative evidence to save newborn lives.   Save the Children also shares its experience and knowledge on the continuum of care and scaling up proven life-saving interventions.