Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 2, 2026

State of the Art Cranial Ultrasound Imaging in Neonates
10:02

State of the Art Cranial Ultrasound Imaging in Neonates

Published on: February 2, 2015

A 50-year overview of perinatal medicine

M E Avery1

  • 1Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115.

Early Human Development
|June 1, 1992
PubMed

Insights

Infant mortality has significantly decreased since 1950 due to advances in neonatal care, nutrition, and parental involvement. These improvements in infant care have dramatically reduced newborn deaths in industrialized nations.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics and Neonatology
  • Public Health
  • Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Background:

  • Historical trends in infant mortality rates from 1950 to 1990 in industrialized nations.
  • Identification of key factors contributing to the decline of infant mortality.
  • Evolution of medical and social approaches to newborn and prenatal care.

Observation:

  • Significant reduction in infant mortality, approximately 90% decrease, observed by 1990 compared to 1950.
  • Advancements in neonatal intensive care and improved understanding of preterm infant nutrition.
  • Increased emphasis on human milk benefits, maternal-infant bonding, and parental involvement in infant care.

Findings:

  • Multifaceted progress in neonatal intensive care and nutritional science.
  • Sociopolitical shifts and scientific applications impacting perinatal outcomes.
  • Prenatal diagnosis and selective abortion have decreased the incidence of severe fetal disorders.

Implications:

  • The findings highlight the success of integrated medical and social strategies in improving infant survival rates.
  • Continued research into neonatal care, nutrition, and parental support is crucial for further reductions in infant mortality.
  • The study underscores the importance of public health initiatives and scientific innovation in child survival.

More Related Videos

The Perinatal Asphyxiated Lamb Model: A Model for Newborn Resuscitation09:03

The Perinatal Asphyxiated Lamb Model: A Model for Newborn Resuscitation

Published on: August 15, 2018

Modeling Ascending Vaginal Infection, Preterm Birth, and Neonatal Morbidity in Mice04:18

Modeling Ascending Vaginal Infection, Preterm Birth, and Neonatal Morbidity in Mice

Published on: October 10, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...