An investment in knowledge: Research in global pediatric surgery for the 21st century.

The body of literature addressing surgical and anesthesia care for children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is small. This lack of research hinders full understanding of the nature of many surgical conditions in LMICs and compromises potential efforts to alleviate the significant health, welfare and economic burdens surgical conditions impose on children, families and countries. This article will evaluate the need for improved global pediatric surgery research by (1) presenting the current state of surgical research for children in LMICs and (2) discussing methods and opportunities for improvement within the political context of current global health priorities.