Research Domains

Neonatal conditions remain the single largest contributor to child mortality in India. Prematurity and low birth weight account for 44.7% of newborn deaths, followed by birth asphyxia (15.1%) and neonatal pneumonia (10.1%) (SRS Cause of Death Statistics 2020-22). With 73% of infant deaths now concentrated in the first month of life (SRS 2024), reducing neonatal mortality from the current 18 to the SDG target of 12 per 1,000 live births remains one of the country's most critical health priorities. This department conducts research across the spectrum from pregnancy and delivery to early neonatal life, with a focus on translating scientific discoveries into better care at the point of delivery.

Priority areas:

1. Preterm birth and low birth weight: modifiable risk factors, clinical prediction, and care of preterm and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonates
2. Neonatal sepsis and antimicrobial resistance: point-of-care biomarkers for early diagnosis, resistance surveillance, and optimized treatment strategies
3. Quality of intrapartum and newborn care: reducing birth asphyxia by improving labour management, strengthening small and sick newborn care units, and scaling evidence-based interventions, including kangaroo mother care.
4. Newborn screening: evaluating point-of-care technologies for early detection of metabolic and genetic disorders in resource-limited settings

Key research questions (indicative):

1. What are the modifiable risk factors for preterm birth and low birth weight in Indian populations, and what are the long-term growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm and small-for-gestational-age neonates?
2. Can point-of-care biomarkers and rapid diagnostics improve early detection of neonatal sepsis and guide antibiotic stewardship in newborn care settings?
3. How can the quality of facility-based newborn care be strengthened, from improving intrapartum practices to optimizing small and sick newborn care units and scaling newborn screening programs?

The National Family Health Survey 2023-24 (NFHS-6) shows that child stunting has declined substantially from 35.5% to 29.3%, and severe wasting has fallen from 7.7% to 5.2%, reflecting the impact of sustained public health investment. At the same time, wasting among children under five remains at 19%, and the coexistence of childhood undernutrition with rising adult overweight and obesity signals an emerging double burden of malnutrition. The developmental origins of health and disease are increasingly recognized as a critical link between early life and lifelong wellbeing. This department investigates the biological, environmental, and nutritional pathways that shape physical growth, neurodevelopment, and the emergence of non-communicable diseases in childhood.

Priority areas:

1. Longitudinal cohort studies on physical growth, neurodevelopment, and cognitive outcomes, addressing the lack of population-level developmental data in Indian children.
2. Environmental determinants of child health, including the effects of air pollution and climate-related exposures on child growth and development
3. Early-life origins of non-communicable diseases: biological pathways linking childhood undernutrition, the nutrition transition, and later metabolic disease risk in Indian populations
4. Community-based interventions for early childhood development, growth promotion, and prevention of developmental delays

Key research questions (indicative):

1. What are the trajectories of physical growth, neurodevelopment, and cognitive outcomes in Indian children, and how do early nutritional deficits and environmental exposures shape these trajectories?
2. What is the scale of the emerging double burden of malnutrition in Indian children, and what are the biological pathways linking early-life undernutrition to later metabolic disease risk, including the role of the 'thin-fat' Indian phenotype?
3. Which community-based interventions are most effective for promoting early childhood development and preventing developmental delays in resource-limited settings?

Pneumonia and diarrhoeal diseases remain the leading causes of death in Indian children beyond the neonatal period. Full immunization coverage among children aged 12-23 months has risen to 87.1%, with rotavirus vaccination reaching 85.4% (NFHS-6), but vaccine-preventable diseases, emerging infections, and antimicrobial resistance continue to pose significant threats. This department combines advanced molecular diagnostics with epidemiological and behavioural research to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and management of childhood infections.

Priority areas

1. Surveillance and characterization of antimicrobial resistance in pediatric infections in hospital and community settings
2. Development and evaluation of rapid, affordable diagnostic tools for childhood infections in resource-limited settings
3. Effectiveness and coverage of childhood immunization programs, including evaluation of newer vaccines and understanding of immune responses in Indian children
4. Implementation research on antibiotic stewardship and rational antimicrobial use in neonatal and pediatric care

Key research questions (indicative)

1. What is the burden of antimicrobial resistance in common pediatric infections across Indian settings, and how do resistance patterns differ between hospital-acquired and community-acquired sepsis?
2. Can rapid, affordable point-of-care diagnostics reduce antibiotic misuse in childhood respiratory and diarrhoeal illnesses?
3. What are the barriers to achieving and sustaining universal childhood immunization coverage, and how effective are newer vaccines in real-world Indian settings?

India is home to over 250 million adolescents, a population whose distinct health needs represent a growing national research priority. The digital transformation documented by NFHS-6, in which women's internet use nearly doubled from 33.3% to 64.3%, is reshaping the environments in which adolescents grow up, with implications for both health risks and health promotion opportunities. This department addresses adolescent health and well-being through epidemiological, behavioural, and intervention research.

Priority areas:

1. Epidemiology of adolescent health across diverse Indian settings, including nutrition, anemia, physical activity, substance use, and reproductive health
2. Mental health and psychosocial well-being of adolescents: prevalence, determinants, and evidence-based models for promotion and early intervention
3. Impact of digital environments on adolescent health behaviours, wellbeing, and access to health information
4. School-based and community-based interventions for adolescent health promotion and early identification of health risks

Key research questions:

1. What is the epidemiology of key adolescent health conditions, including anemia, undernutrition, and substance use, across diverse Indian settings, and what are the social and environmental determinants?
2. What is the prevalence and pattern of mental health conditions among Indian adolescents, and which models for promotion and early intervention are most effective in community and school settings?
3. How do digital environments affect adolescent health behaviours, psychosocial wellbeing, and access to health information?