Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 17, 2026
A Modified Sonographic Algorithm for Image Acquisition in Life-Threatening Emergencies in the Critically Ill Newborn
Published on: April 7, 2023
Neonatal survival in complex humanitarian emergencies: setting an evidence-based research agenda
Diane F Morof1, Kate Kerber2, Barbara Tomczyk3
1Division of Reproductive Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, MS-F-74, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA.
Insights
Neonatal deaths are a major concern, especially in humanitarian emergencies. This study used the Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative (CHNRI) methodology to identify key research priorities for improving newborn survival in these critical settings.
Area of Science:
- Global Health
- Pediatrics
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Neonatal deaths constitute over 40% of under-five mortality, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries.
- High neonatal mortality rates are prevalent in regions experiencing complex humanitarian emergencies.
- There's a significant gap in research investment and understanding of neonatal health in emergency settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically prioritize research questions for neonatal health and survival in complex humanitarian emergencies.
- To identify critical knowledge gaps and guide future research investments.
- To inform evidence-based interventions for improving newborn outcomes in crisis-affected areas.
Main Methods:
- Employed the Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative (CHNRI) methodology for research prioritization.
- Engaged 28 experts to evaluate 35 research questions based on answerability, feasibility, relevance, and equity.
- Utilized SAS 9.2 to calculate research prioritization scores (RPS) and average expert agreement (AEA).
Main Results:
- The study identified ten top research priorities for neonatal health in humanitarian emergencies.
- Priorities spanned both epidemiologic and programmatic aspects of neonatal care.
- The highest-ranked question focused on strategies to increase demand for and utilization of skilled birth attendance.
Conclusions:
- The CHNRI methodology successfully identified and ranked critical research priorities for neonatal survival in complex emergencies.
- Key priorities include understanding the disease burden and effective interventions for neonatal health in these settings.
- Findings will guide researchers and program implementers in addressing urgent neonatal health needs in humanitarian contexts.
Background:
Over 40% of all deaths among children under 5 are neonatal deaths (0-28 days), and this proportion is increasing. In 2012, 2.9 million newborns died, with 99% occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Many of the countries with the highest neonatal mortality rates globally are currently or have recently been affected by complex humanitarian emergencies. Despite the global burden of neonatal morbidity and mortality and risks inherent in complex emergency situations, research investments are not commensurate to burden and little is known about the epidemiology or best practices for neonatal survival in these settings.
Methods:
We used the Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative (CHNRI) methodology to prioritize research questions on neonatal health in complex humanitarian emergencies. Experts evaluated 35 questions using four criteria (answerability, feasibility, relevance, equity) with three subcomponents per criterion. Using SAS 9.2, a research prioritization score (RPS) and average expert agreement score (AEA) were calculated for each question.
Results:
Twenty-eight experts evaluated all 35 questions. RPS ranged from 0.846 to 0.679 and the AEA ranged from 0.667 to 0.411. The top ten research priorities covered a range of issues but generally fell into two categories- epidemiologic and programmatic components of neonatal health. The highest ranked question in this survey was "What strategies are effective in increasing demand for, and use of skilled attendance?"
Conclusions:
In this study, a diverse group of experts used the CHRNI methodology to systematically identify and determine research priorities for neonatal health and survival in complex humanitarian emergencies. The priorities included the need to better understand the magnitude of the disease burden and interventions to improve neonatal health in complex humanitarian emergencies. The findings from this study will provide guidance to researchers and program implementers in neonatal and complex humanitarian fields to engage on the research priorities needed to save lives most at risk.
More Related Videos
10:55A Piglet Perinatal Asphyxia Model to Study Cardiac Injury and Hemodynamics after Cardiac Arrest, Resuscitation, and the Return of Spontaneous Circulation
Published on: January 13, 2023
09:03The Perinatal Asphyxiated Lamb Model: A Model for Newborn Resuscitation
Published on: August 15, 2018
