Most newborn babies die in India: report

India accounts for the maximum number of first day deaths of newborn babies in the world, says a new report.

According to the "State Of The World's Mothers 2013" report, out of every 100 newborn babies who die in the world, 29 are in India -- that is, three babies who die on the day they are born every year.

This is because of complications associated with preterm birth, hygiene and maternal health, The Times of Indianewspaper reported, citing the report.

Infants fare better even in Pakistan and Bangladesh, the paper reported quoting the report by the U.S.-based "Save the Children" which compared first day deaths in 186 countries.

Luxembourg has the least newborn deaths, according to the report.

Dr. Rajiv Tandon, senior adviser for health and nutrition at Save the Children, said: "In rural areas, there is a culture of applying absolutely anything to the umbilical chord, from cow dung to oils. This can cause acute local infection and even neonatal sepsis."

"Another such misunderstanding is that in many parts of India people think that colostrum (first breast milk rich in anti-bodies) is not suitable for feeding. These have tremendous effect on the morbidity of newborns," he added.