Well into the 20th century, one in four newborns failed to survive their first year of life. It was after World War II that medicine "discovered" the newborn as a human being entitled to medical treatment and prioritised care. Since its definition by Alexander Schaffer in 1960, neonatology has
evolved into a mature, innovative, and ethical field. A large number of medical professionals" care for neonates, yet no definitive medical history of the newborn has been available until now.