Neonatal near miss and mortality and associated factors: cohort study of births in the city of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

Besides confirming the effect of low birth weight, prematurity, and asphyxia on neonatal death, socioeconomic vulnerability markers - low education level and brown or black skin colors - were associated with neonatal death and near miss. Absent or inadequate prenatal care showed a strong association with both outcomes, being stronger for neonatal death. Investments in the quality of prenatal care and reduction of disparities in health care are necessary in Rio de Janeiro.