WHO is convening a Guideline Development Group (GDG) to develop updated guidelines on newborn resuscitation at birth. These updates reflect WHO’s commitment to addressing persistent neonatal mortality in high‑burden settings, while responding to new evidence that has emerged since the previous WHO guidelines were published in 2012 - on resuscitation strategies, cord management, ventilation, implementation considerations for health systems, guidance on respectful newborn care and effective communication with families.
GDG members will review updates of the evidence and will propose updated WHO recommendations. They will also participate in virtual GDG meetings between July 2026 and February 2027.
The general objective of this process is to develop updated WHO guidelines that will serve as a normative framework for newborn resuscitation at birth across diverse settings. Specific objectives include:
- to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions for newborn resuscitation at birth, covering initial assessment and stabilisation, basic and advanced resuscitation measures, and immediate post-resuscitation care, for newborns who fail to initiate or sustain effective breathing and circulation immediately after birth; and
- to assess implementation considerations including training and competency of staff, availability of essential equipment and supplies, health-system readiness, respectful newborn care, and communication with families, in order to inform evidence-based, balanced recommendations applicable across diverse birth settings.
Guideline Development Group composition
In accordance with WHO guidelines for developing recommendations, the GDG is composed of members from all WHO regions, serving in their individual capacities rather than as representatives of affiliated organizations. GDG members were selected by WHO technical staff based on their technical expertise, their role as end‑users (such as health‑care providers and programme managers), and their experience working in low‑ and middle‑income country settings, including countries with a high burden of neonatal mortality. Members do not receive financial compensation for their contributions to this process.
Call for public comments
To ensure transparency and inclusivity, WHO invites members of the public and interested organizations to review the biographies of the GDG members. Any comments/feedback can be submitted via email to iulianoa@who.int by 30 June 2026 12.00am Geneva time.
This feedback supports WHO in developing high‑quality, credible guidelines that reflect diverse perspectives and respond to the needs of countries and communities affected by the recommendations.