Originally published by AlignMNH
Worldwide, every fourth baby is born too soon or too small. Children who are born preterm, small for gestational age (SGA), or with low birthweight (LBW) are at increased risk of stillbirth, neonatal death, and later childhood mortality, and are associated with morbidities carrying short-term and long-term consequences. While prevention is key, measures have been slow, and have historically only addressed LBW, not all vulnerable newborns.
At IMNHC 2023 this May, The Lancet launched a new Series, Small Vulnerable Newborns. The Series consists of four papers and a commentary that explores a new conceptual framework bringing together preterm birth, SGA, and LBW under the term “small vulnerable newborns” (SVN) to classify small and vulnerable newborns, a critical area of global child health and societal development that needs greater attention.
New research featured in the Series introduces new concepts to better measure and manage SVNs, estimates the epidemiology and patterns of disease, details evidence-based interventions to reduce the burden of SVNs, and more.
Watch this AlignMNH Masterclass video, featuring Dr. Abdu Mohiddin, Public Health Physician-Scientist at Aga Kahn University, and Dr. Eric Ohuma, Associate Professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, to learn more about the important definitions for classifying SVNs, the need for increased measurement and accountability, and the proven and hopeful interventions for prevention.