Because of a lapse in government funding, the information on this website may not be up to date, transactions submitted via the website may not be processed, and the agency may not be able to respond to inquiries until appropriations are enacted.

The NIH Clinical Center (the research hospital of NIH) is open. For more details about its operating status, please visit cc.nih.gov.

Updates regarding government operating status and resumption of normal operations can be found at OPM.gov.

Infant Care and Infant Health

Since NICHD's founding in 1962, infant death rates in the United States have dropped significantly and many infant health outcomes have improved greatly. Much of this progress can be attributed to the application of research on infant health and care from NICHD.

NICHD, along with its federal partners as well as professional organizations and foundations, has advanced science to improve infant health and care, and it has spearheaded campaigns to deliver information to providers and families, helping to put research advances into action.