Lay summary
Neonatal seizures affect one in every 300 newborns. Survivors have high rates of permanent neurodevelopmental disability and epilepsy. Faster detection and better treatments could improve these outcomes. Research will work towards the provision of the gold standard of seizure monitoring care for all at risk newborns in Aotearoa, simultaneously bringing non-neurotoxic antiseizure treatments into use. This programme of work combines clinical trials, health system infrastructure development, and collaborative international research to close critical evidence gaps for newborns with seizures—an underserved and high-risk patient population.