Low-Tech Innovations to Prevent Neonatal Mortality: Perspectives from Public Health, Neonatology, and Biomedical Engineering

Abstract

Mothers, fathers, and family and community members eagerly await the birth of a newborn baby the world over. Nearly 260 babies were born every minute in 2017, approximately 135 million births in total for the year. Although often a time of great joy for families, the first month of life is the most vulnerable of a child’s life, with an estimated 2.6 million babies dying before reaching the 28th day of life in 2016, approximately 2% of all newborn babies. Within the first month of life, the first week and especially the first day are the most dangerous times. This chapter discusses a variety of technologies-both low- and high-tech-for improving newborn survival and health.