Living beyond the first 28 days of life remains a major accomplishment, particularly in most of southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Dr Cooper presents critical data bringing forward the facts that provide evidence that straightforward and simple medical interventions will help infants get off to a safe and healthy start. Unfortunately, the pace of improvement in the availability of these basic health care services is occurring extremely slowly. Countries that are chronically underresourced have multiple factors contributing to poor neonatal survival rates. Yet, greater progress in improving survival rates could occur with increased attention to providing basic perinatal care. The 2015 Millennium Development Goal for improved child survival will not be achieved in large part due to the inadequate focus given to this critical issue.
—Jay E. Berkelhamer, MD, FAAP
Section Editor
The mortality rate for children under the age of 5 years has been declining for a number of...
