Abstract

Until recently policy makers and health professionals in developing countries have neglected newborn care, even though 70% of infant deaths occur during the first month of life. The principles of essential newborn care are simple: resuscitation, warmth to avoid hypothermia, early breast-feeding, hygiene, support for the mother-infant relationship, and early treatment for low birth weight or sick infants. Putting these principles into practice does not require expensive high technology equipment.This important book has been written by experts in newborn care, mostly from developing countries in south Asia. It contains a review of the current health status of mothers and newborn infants in the developing world, the evidence base for cost-effective essential and preventive neonatal interventions in poor communities, ideas for improving service delivery, and the priorities for future action and research.