Neonatology in developing countries: problems, practices and prospects

A recent review of perinatal and neonatal care in developed countries found that a decline in neonatal mortality rates due to improved neonatal care has played a major role in the decline of infant mortality over the past 3 decades. However efforts to reduce high infant mortality rates (IMR) in most developing countries have focused mainly upon post-neonatal mortality while neonatal mortality (NND) has been almost ignored. A recent World Health Organization focus upon the health of newborn infants and the contribution of NND to IMR has called attention to the need to improve perinatal and neonatal care facilities and resources in order to realize any significant reduction in the high IMR observed in developing countries. One important step toward improving neonatal care and reducing neonatal mortality in developing countries is to carefully examine government health funding neonatal health care resources and the major determinants of neonatal mortality. Economic and health indicators of IMR neonatal vital statistics and causes of death and the major neonatal problems of low birth weight birth asphyxia infections and severe jaundice are discussed followed by a summary of problems and future prospects.