The role of developing countries in generating Cochrane meta-analyses in the field of pediatrics (neonatology and neuropediatrics): a systematic analysis.

Background: There is a lack of up-to-date, systematic reviews that critically assess the role and potential limitations of evidence-based medicine and systematic Cochrane reviews originating in developing countries.

Methods: We performed a systematic literature review of all Cochrane reviews published between 1997 and 2010 by the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group (CNRG) in the field of neuropediatrics. The main outcome parameter of our review was the assessment of the percentage of reviews that originated in developing countries and the number of reviews that provided conclusive/ inconclusive data.

Results: In total, 262 reviews were performed in the field of neonatology and 112 in the field of neuropediatrics. Only a small fraction (15/262 in neonatology [7/15 conclusive] and 16/112 in neuropediatrics [9/16 conclusive]) originated in developing countries.

Conclusions: There is an ongoing need for high-quality research that addresses specific issues that are most relevant to the medical care of children in developing countries. Funding and research agencies will play a pivotal role in selecting the most appropriate research programs for the developing world.