Dear Colleagues,

Although significant advances have been achieved in perinatology and intensive neonatal care, rates of neonatal morbidity and adverse sequelae remain high, underlining the need for interdisciplinary cooperation to improve neonatal health outcomes. Scientific fields and technologies related to the measurement of biological molecules are rapidly evolving, and offer ever-expanding information for a comprehensive understanding of the neonatal biological system, thus contributing to the early identification of neonates at high risk of developing complications and life-threatening diseases. This knowledge could assist clinicians and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) staff to plan individualized interventions which will either prevent or optimize neonatal outcomes.

Systematic antenatal care, the diagnosis and treatment of maternal infections, the detection of perinatal risk factors and focused neonatal care are key aspects of both reducing neonatal morbidity and improving neonatal prognosis. Intrapartum- and prematurity-related complications are closely related to neonatal morbidity, highlighting the necessity of skilled obstetricians and midwives, evidence-based and up-to-date guidelines, effective prevention methods and high-quality healthcare facilities. A number of protective actions are now at the center of early intervention programs in the NICU, and their goal is to sustain preterm neonates’ development by empowering their potentialities. It is now evident that the environment and the sensory stimuli, predominantly during the perinatal period, have an impact on neonate development. Parents do not simply facilitate environmental stimuli, but are part of the environment itself, changing their interaction according to the neonate’s needs, reactions, and requests and impacting on its socio-emotional development. Lastly, an imperative goal for healthcare professionals to consider is the reduction of the economic, social and, above all, family burden resulting from neonatal morbidity. 

This Special Issue of Children is an update on current advances pertaining to the prevention, prevalence, risk factors, diagnosis, etiology, pathophysiology, treatment, as well as short- and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes of several neonatal critical conditions. We also encourage submissions that investigate and demonstrate new perspectives and discuss future challenges regarding neonatal morbidity. Finally, this Special Issue aims to highlight the pivotal role of the interdisciplinary team in the neonatal period, raise awareness of novel biomarkers and effective pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies, and enhance the understanding of family dynamics in special populations such as high-risk and critically-ill neonates. We invite researchers and colleagues to submit original research articles, reviews and case reports that address relevant topics.

We wish for a pleasant collaboration and look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Katerina Lykeridou
Guest Editor

Dr. Dimitra Metallinou
Guest Editor Assistant

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