Improving Newborn Infant Health In Developing Countries

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.