Annual mortality amongst 3845 infants cared for on the Special Care Baby Unit of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria, over a 10 year period ranged from 16.8% to 36.2%; there was a significant association between mortality and the male sex (p <0.05). An inverse relationship was observed between mortality and birth weight p < 0.05. Low birth weight (LBW) followed by respiratory distress were clearly the two important causes; these were closely followed by septicaemia and birth asphyxia. Amongst the LBW infants, mortality was highest when the former was associated with septicaemia and/or respiratory distress. For appropriate reduction in mortality, it is concluded that ways of reducing low birth weight, septicaemia and birth asphyxia must be intensified. Additionally there is a need for early referral to tertiary centres which may be better equipped for complicated deliveries. © 1992, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.