Millennium Development Goal 4: reducing perinatal and neonatal mortality in low‐resource settings. (13th December 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Smith, Abi C; Mutangiri, Wonderful; Fox, Robert; Crofts, Joanna F
• Is Part Of: Obstetrician & gynaecologist. Volume 16:Number 1(2014)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 5
• Publication Date: 2013-12-13
• Subjects: Obstetrics -- Periodicals; Gynecology -- Periodicals; 618
• DOI: 10.1111/tog.12074
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1467-2561

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="tog12074-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="tog12074-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Key content</title> <p> <list id="tog12074-list-0001" list-type="bullet"> <list-item> <p>Millennium Development Goal 4 (MDG4) set targets to reduce by two‐thirds the number of deaths of children aged <5 years by 2015 compared with 1990. In 2010, 7.7 million of these children died. Progress is accelerating but many countries will not meet targets.</p> </list-item> <list-item> <p>Stillbirths account for 2.65 million deaths but are not addressed in international targets.</p> </list-item> <list-item> <p>Possible solutions including 'kangaroo mother care', neonatal resuscitation and breastfeeding are identified; a difference can be made with basic training and resources.</p> </list-item> <list-item> <p>Political leadership is required to make significant health gains.</p> </list-item> <list-item> <p>The evidence for improving peri‐ and neonatal mortality exists. The challenge is in the implementation.</p> </list-item> </list> </p> </sec> <sec id="tog12074-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Learning objectives</title> <p> <list id="tog12074-list-0002" list-type="bullet"> <list-item> <p>To understand MDG4 and the variation in pregnancy outcomes for neonates globally.</p> </list-item> <list-item> <p>To increase knowledge of simple interventions and key barriers to improve peri‐ and neonatal mortality.</p> </list-item> <list-item> <p>To help UK doctors understand the health background of inward migrants.</p> </list-item> </list> </p> </sec> <sec id="tog12074-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Ethical issues</title> <p> <list id="tog12074-list-0003" list-type="bullet"> <list-item> <p>The increasing divide in health outcomes between rich and poor, both within and between countries.</p> </list-item> <list-item> <p>Gender inequalities may contribute to poor access to care.</p> </list-item> <list-item> <p>Resource limitations are compounded by external factors such as the 'brain drain' of health workers.</p> </list-item> </list> </p> </sec> </abstract>