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Texas Children's Global Health Global Neonatology

<p>Global Neonatology</p>

Texas Children’s is transforming newborn care in limited resource settings.

Around the world, the first month of life is the most dangerous period for survival. Each year, 2.3 million newborns die before reaching one month of age; the majority from preventable and treatable causes such as prematurity, birth asphyxia, infections, and hypothermia. In sub-Saharan Africa, neonatal mortality rates are more than five times higher than in high-income countries. While global progress has been made in reducing under-five mortality, the pace of improvement for newborn survival has been far slower. This makes targeted neonatal care a critical priority. 

The Texas Children’s Global Neonatology Program builds the capacity of local teams to deliver structured, evidence-based care for sick and vulnerable newborns. 

What if we could end


preventable newborn 


deaths?


 

 WE CAN

Give to Global Neonatology

Thank you for supporting the Global Neonatology program at Texas Children's Hospital. Your gift helps us provide life-saving care and develop training programs to treat children during their first month of life.

Our Mission

Texas Children’s Global Neonatology Program focuses on addressing the leading causes of neonatal mortality and morbidity by building the capacity of local teams to provide structured and evidence-based care, keeping mothers and newborns together to promote optimal outcomes.  

The Challenge

In many low- and middle-income countries, hospitals lack specialized staff, equipment, and infrastructure needed for newborn survival. Without access to timely, skilled neonatal care, even treatable complications can become life-threatening.

In Malawi, neonatal mortality is estimated at 19 deaths per 1,000 live births, compared to 3.4 per 1,000 in the United States. Most of these deaths occur in the first 24 hours and stem from preventable conditions. 

Neonatal mortality in Suriname is estimated at 10 deaths per 1,000 live births, with many deaths resulting from preventable infections. Improving infection prevention, early illness management, staffing capacity, and consistency of NICU care are key priorities for reducing neonatal mortality in Suriname.

Unique Approach

The Global Neonatology Program offers a collaborative, capacity building approach to improving newborn outcomes globally.

We work alongside local teams to strengthen and develop the care provided to newborns and their families. Recognizing the limited infrastructure found in low-resource settings, we aim to help create systems for neonatal care that are responsive to local needs and priorities. 

Immediate Kangaroo Mother Care (iKMC)

Implemented in partnership with the Laerdal Foundation’s Saving Lives at Birth program, Immediate Kangaroo Mother Care (iKMC) prioritizes zero separation between newborns and their primary caregivers through continuous skin-to-skin contact. This family-centered approach is especially critical for preterm and low-birthweight infants, helping reduce hypothermia, sepsis, and neonatal mortality while strengthening bonding, supporting breastfeeding, and improving clinical outcomes.

Capacity Building

The program strengthens healthcare provider skills through hands-on mentorship, workshops, and ongoing education tailored to local contexts. Clinical mentorship focuses on priority neonatal diagnoses and management strategies, supporting real-time knowledge exchange and case-based learning to improve neonatal care delivery.

Data-Driven Improvement

Through multidisciplinary partnership, we strengthen data collection tools and use locally collected data to inform quality improvement initiatives, research, and policy advocacy. 

Where We Work

Malawi

Area 25 Community Hospital in Lilongwe serves one of Malawi’s fastest-growing regions, with over 9,000 deliveries projected in 2025. Originally a health center, Area 25 has transformed into a community hospital and hub for maternal and neonatal care through a public-private partnership with the Malawi Ministry of Health. 

Suriname

In 2025, the Network partnered with Suriname to advance neonatal care through a quality improvement course focused on reducing late-onset neonatal sepsis at Academisch Ziekenhuis Paramaribo — the teaching hospital in Suriname — and a NICU observership at Texas Children’s Hospital, enabling hands-on learning, exchange of best practices, and strengthened infection prevention systems.

Leadership

Kristina M. Reber, MD

Chief, Neonatology, Texas Children’s Hospital  
Professor, Pediatrics-Neonatology, Baylor College of Medicine

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Monika Patil, MD

Co-Director, Global Neonatology Program, Texas Children’s Hospital  
Associate Professor, Pediatrics-Neonatology, Baylor College of Medicine

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Maya Brasher, MD

Co-Director, Global Neonatology Program, Texas Children’s Hospital  
Assistant Professor, Pediatrics-Neonatology, Baylor College of Medicine

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Partners

Texas Children’s Global Health Network leads efforts that advance healthcare equity through innovative collaboration in care, education and research globally.

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