Neonatal health focuses on specialized medical care and support for newborns during the critical period immediately following birth, particularly within the first four weeks of life. This area of healthcare is especially vital for preterm infants, low-birth-weight babies, and those with health complications. Many require admission to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for intensive monitoring and treatment of life-threatening conditions [1-4]. With preterm births on the rise, neonatal health has become a significant public health concern, affecting long-term outcomes for both infants and families.

Families with infants in NICUs often experience emotional and psychological distress due to prolonged hospital stays, which can last several weeks. Many NICU infants face risks such as neurodevelopmental delays and infections, increasing parental anxiety and feelings of helplessness [4]. Infant- and family-centered developmental care models improve outcomes by actively involving parents in their newborn’s treatment. These approaches strengthen emotional bonding and enhance health outcomes by integrating family support into the care process [4, 5].

Newborn health outcomes vary widely across the world. Infants in low-resource settings face significantly higher risks of complications and mortality due to limited healthcare access, maternal education disparities, economic instability, and systemic inequities. In some regions, infant mortality rates remain more than 50 times higher than in countries with strong healthcare systems. Reducing newborn mortality and improving long-term health outcomes require targeted interventions that address social determinants of health, expand healthcare infrastructure, and ensure equitable access to quality care for all newborns [6, 7].