Background Neonatal mortality is still a problem around the world. The rate is varies from country to country. Mother’s condition was associated with the outcome of conception and mortality rate.

Objective To determine the relationship between mother’s condition and neonatal mortality rate.

Methods/design Case control study. Case group was 40 mothers of neonates who died in high risk neonatal ward Dr. Kariadi Hospital Semarang Indonesia within period of January to December 2011 who fulfilled inclusion criteria. Control group was 40 mothers of neonates who survived. Mother’s condition that was studied included mother’s age, parity, gestational age, antenatal care, mother’s infection, diabetic mother, severe anemia, preeclampsia, eclampsia, hypertension, heart disease, and antenatal bleeding. Data was taken from medical records. Statistical analyses used X² and logistic regression.

Result Between groups respectively: age >30-year old, has OR 0.70; 95% CI 0.27–1.82). multiparity (OR 1.22; 95% CI 0.51–2.96). preterm, (OR 2.78; 95% CI 1.12–6.89). ANC, (OR 0.87; 95% CI 0.31–2.44). Mother’s infection, (OR 0.29; 95% CI 0.05–1.58). diabetic mother, (OR 4.33; 95% CI 0.46–40.61). severe anemic, d (OR 2.29; 95% CI 1.76–2.98). preeclampsia mothers, (OR 0.23; 95% CI 0.02–2.16). eclampsia mothers,(OR 2.71; 95% CI 0.49–14.90). hypertension mothers, (OR 4.33; 95% CI 0.46–40.60). heart disease (OR 2.02; 95% CI 1.62–2.53). antenatal bleeding (OR 2.33; 95% CI 1.78–3.05).

Conclussion Gestational age (preterm), severe anemia, and antenatal bleeding were associated with neonatal mortality, where gestational age as the major risk factor.