The 'horrifying' statistics

53 million women give birth each year without professional birth attendants. 50 babies die every six minutes, 49 in developing countries. Four million new-borns die before reaching one month of age Four million babies are stillborn Mothers in West Africa are 30 times more likely to lose a baby that a mother in Western Europe

Most of these deaths are caused by infection, complications during birth, babies being born too early and birth defects, according to the report, "State of the World's New-borns".

It was launched on Wednesday by charity Women and Children First, alongside the Institute of Child Health (ICH) and Save the Children in America.

Professor Anthony Costello, director of the International Perinatal Care unit at ICH, says simple practices such as keeping babies warm immediately after birth, encouraging basic hygiene during delivery and having a skilled healthcare worker present during the birth, could reduce new-born death rates by more than half.

'Greater global commitment'

Professor Costello said: "Our research shows that about eight babies die every minute around the world - most of these are in developing countries.

"This is a huge and neglected problem.

"In most developing countries, healthcare for pregnant women during the critical perinatal period is virtually non-existent.

The report recommends early breastfeeding

"Most mothers give birth without ever coming into contact with a skilled health worker. The horrifying statistics demonstrate the need for a greater global commitment to saving millions of new-born lives lost unnecessarily.

"This is achievable by simply improving what we already do and applying what we already know."

A 10-year study in Bolivia, which began in the early 1990s, during which mothers in rural areas have been educated on basic healthcare issues, has reduced the infant mortality rate by 50%, said Professor Costello.

And in one of the most deprived areas of Maharashtra in India the infant mortality rate fell by 60% over a three year period during which mothers were trained as baby monitors.

Professor Costello said the mothers were trained to help at births and look out for signs of infection and problems following delivery.

The report calls for greater investment from international donor agencies and government departments in education programmes and initiatives which would ensure that:

• All births are assisted by a skilled birth attendant

• Clean delivery kits are always used to prevent infection

• Breastfeeding is started early and the new-born baby is kept warm

• Family members and primary level health workers are taught to seek immediate treatment if a new-born is unwell.

Professor Costello said: "It is entirely feasible that by addressing these basic issues and monitoring babies after birth the current new-born death rate could be reduced by half."