There is an urgent need to identify interventions to improve neonatal survival on a global scale. Efforts to improve global neonatal and child health have primarily benefited children between one month and five years of age, mostly due to enhanced coverage of basic and new vaccines. In spite of declining numbers of neonatal deaths globally, the share of neonatal deaths among all under-five deaths increased to about 50% through the last three decades, with the highest number of neonatal deaths occurring in low and middle income countries (LMICs). Updated information on causes, mechanisms and modifiers of neonatal morbidity and mortality will inform both evidence-based interventions and public health policies to save millions of lives.
The focus of this Research Topic is neonatal health in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Multiple factors influence neonatal health in LMIC including maternal health, functioning of health systems, appropriate support at the time of birth, rates of prematurity and climate change. LMIC have staff shortages, high neonatal infection rates, frequent nosocomial outbreaks of antimicrobial resistant pathogens and a need for better laboratory biomarkers for infection. The highest number of premature neonates at risk of severe complications and death are born in LMIC such as sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Health systems strengthening at all levels and quality improvement work is needed to improve global neonatal health and reduce death rates.
This article collection is envisaged to address, but not be limited to, the following thematic areas
1. Climate change effects on neonatal and maternal health in LMIC
2. Strategies for prevention of neonatal infections, antimicrobial resistance, and a poor microbiome in LMIC
3. Prematurity and its complications in LMIC
4. Neonatal resuscitation in LMIC
5. Growth and development among neonates in LMIC
6. Kangaroo mother care
7. Breastfeeding and nutrition to healthy and sick neonates in low-resource settings
8. Neonatal intensive care in LMIC
9. Quality improvement research for education of health workers at all levels and low threshold services
10. Global health partnerships between institutions and countries to advance neonatal health in LMIC
11. Challenges for neonatal health in the most low-income settings
12. Optimizing hygiene and care around childbirth and breastfeeding practices
13. Strategies for the prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in low-resource settings
14. Birth asphyxia management in LMICs
There is an urgent need to identify interventions to improve neonatal survival on a global scale. Efforts to improve global neonatal and child health have primarily benefited children between one month and five years of age, mostly due to enhanced coverage of basic and new vaccines. In spite of declining numbers of neonatal deaths globally, the share of neonatal deaths among all under-five deaths increased to about 50% through the last three decades, with the highest number of neonatal deaths occurring in low and middle income countries (LMICs). Updated information on causes, mechanisms and modifiers of neonatal morbidity and mortality will inform both evidence-based interventions and public health policies to save millions of lives.
The focus of this Research Topic is neonatal health in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Multiple factors influence neonatal health in LMIC including maternal health, functioning of health systems, appropriate support at the time of birth, rates of prematurity and climate change. LMIC have staff shortages, high neonatal infection rates, frequent nosocomial outbreaks of antimicrobial resistant pathogens and a need for better laboratory biomarkers for infection. The highest number of premature neonates at risk of severe complications and death are born in LMIC such as sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Health systems strengthening at all levels and quality improvement work is needed to improve global neonatal health and reduce death rates.
This article collection is envisaged to address, but not be limited to, the following thematic areas
1. Climate change effects on neonatal and maternal health in LMIC
2. Strategies for prevention of neonatal infections, antimicrobial resistance, and a poor microbiome in LMIC
3. Prematurity and its complications in LMIC
4. Neonatal resuscitation in LMIC
5. Growth and development among neonates in LMIC
6. Kangaroo mother care
7. Breastfeeding and nutrition to healthy and sick neonates in low-resource settings
8. Neonatal intensive care in LMIC
9. Quality improvement research for education of health workers at all levels and low threshold services
10. Global health partnerships between institutions and countries to advance neonatal health in LMIC
11. Challenges for neonatal health in the most low-income settings
12. Optimizing hygiene and care around childbirth and breastfeeding practices
13. Strategies for the prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in low-resource settings
14. Birth asphyxia management in LMICs