IF BORN: a meaningful acronym for interventions in child survival

In recent years there has been a great deal of effort devoted to refining the framework for the study of child survival in developing countries. In addition, efforts to provide services in the health sector in support of child survival have increased. These efforts have suffered at times from a lack of defined priorities and coordination. This paper presents an acronym derived from interventions in support of child survival: IF BORN (immunization, family planning, breast-feeding/weaning, oral rehydration, rearing, and nutrition). This acronym prioritizes the interventions by impact and feasibility. It highlights the importance of maternal health while complementing present analytical frameworks in this field. It also serves as a basis for the choice and coordination of limited resources.