**3. Conclusions**

increase in survival without increased neonatal morbidity has been observed in preterm infants born between 25 and 28 weeks [6]. Therefore, increased survival of these newborns makes them more susceptible to developing acute and chronic morbidities such as intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, chronic lung

About 80% of premature children are born between 32 and 37 weeks of gestation, which is known as moderate/late preterm. About 10% of these children are born between 28 and 32 weeks of gestation, the rest correspond to births before 28 weeks. Among the former, which has a comparatively lower risk compared to those of a lower gestational age, some die unnecessarily due to the lack of simple and essential care, such as heat and nutrition [7]. Babies born between weeks 32 and 37 have at least seven times the risk of neonatal mortality and a 2.5 times higher risk of postneonatal infant mortality [8]. Similarly, in the 28–32 week group in lower income countries, more than half of the children die; many could survive without intensive care [7].

Consequently, for neonates to face the risk of death, as well as their short- and long-term morbidity, basic prevention measures such as timely diagnosis and early treatment should be included, taking into consideration the most frequent risks and problems in these patients.

The risk of death is greater on the first day of life and it has been confirmed that the proportion of deaths occurring during the first week of life are constant in all regions and economic environments. This highlights the urgent need to provide timely and high-quality care from the moment of birth. The time between a potentially harmful event and death can be very short and the first minute after birth (golden minute) is the crucial window for neonatal resuscitation. In general, all newborns are vulnerable after childbirth, which is a key point for growth and development. The highest risk of death is concentrated immediately after birth and in the first days of life. For most newborns, essential care is required, which the mother will ideally provide, such as providing warmth, a clean and safe environment, and providing nourishment through breastfeeding. However, in premature or low birth weight babies, the care requirements are greater since these children are especially vulnerable to thermal instability,

In particular, premature babies are especially vulnerable and can become hypothermic in a matter of minutes, which increases the risk of respiratory distress, hypoglycemia, infections, and death. Problems related to childbirth and premature delivery are predominant causes of early neonatal mortality, while infections are more common in the late neonatal period [9].

Due to the abovementioned, temperature is an aspect of basic care for newborns. This is considered fundamental because hypothermia increases the probability of early and late neonatal death [10–12]. Consequently, by providing appropriate thermal conditions during delivery, immediate care, and in intensive care rooms, the risk of hypothermia is reduced and neonatal survival is improved. In this sense, differences have been observed in admission temperatures between extreme and moderate preterm infants, and it has been confirmed that extreme

**2. Neonatal care and the main problems in newborns**

difficulty breathing, feeding limitations, and the risk of infections.

disease, and neurosensory disorders, among others.

4 Selected Topics in Neonatal Care

The scenario shown with some examples of frequent problems and interventions involved in neonatal care highlights the need for a complex and comprehensive therapeutic approach. Neonatal care interventions that have been effective in improving the survival of hospitalized newborns and considered a priority are: the use of antenatal corticosteroids to prevent neonatal RDS, early initiation of breastfeeding, umbilical cord care, and kangaroo care in premature babies [24]. Additionally, processes to improve the quality of neonatal care are considered key points for nutrition, use of medicines, central line care, respiratory care, and care in the delivery room with the aim of reducing the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis, growth deficit, mortality, sepsis, chronic lung disease, brain damage, and retinopathy of prematurity [25]. Other aspects of special attention in timely neonatal care, particularly in neonatal intensive care, include hemodynamic monitoring and respiratory care.

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