A neonatologist is a pediatrician with additional training in the care of sick and premature babies. They are trained specifically to handle the most complex and high-risk situations. If your newborn is premature or has a serious illness, injury, or birth defect, a neonatologist may assist at the time of delivery and in the subsequent care of your newborn.
This section offers more information about what neonatology is, including the types of treatments neonatologists provide. For those who would like more information about babies which need special care by a neonatologist, the following pages contain further details about newborns who are premature and newborns with a birth defect. To learn more about neonatology in general or for more information about specific types of illness or injuries that may affect premature and full-term babies, see the Professional Support and Self Help Resources page.
A neonatologist is a pediatrician with additional training in the care of sick and premature babies. Although a pediatrician can solve the majority of health problems in newborns, a neonatologist is trained specifically to handle the most complex and high-risk situations. In addition, neonatologists use equipment that is designed specifically for the tiniest patients.
If your newborn is premature or has a serious illness, injury, or birth defect, a neonatologist may assist at the time of delivery and in the subsequent care of your newborn. If a problem is identified before your baby is born, a neonatologist can also become involved in your baby’s care during your pregnancy.
Most babies admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) are premature – that is, born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Important organs such as the heart, lungs, stomach, and skin may not be mature enough to function without special help. Other babies have low birth weight (less than 5.5 pounds), or have a medical condition that requires special care. Twins, triplets, and other multiples are often admitted to the NICU, as they tend to be born earlier and smaller than single birth babies. Babies with medical conditions such as heart problems, infections, or birth defects are also cared for in the NICU.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics , neonatologists generally provide the following care:
Neonatologists work mainly in the special care nurseries or newborn intensive care units of hospitals. In some cases, after a newborn has been discharged from the unit, a neonatologist may provide short-term follow-up care on an outpatient basis.
A premature or preterm baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy have been completed. Because premature babies are born before they are physically ready to leave the womb, they often have health problems. Their lungs, digestive system, immune system and skin might still be underdeveloped. Generally, the earlier a baby is born, the higher the risk of complications. Any complications of a premature newborn will be addressed in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
The most common conditions that occur in premature babies includes yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), low blood sugar, and lack of red blood cells to carry oxygen to the baby's tissues (anemia). More-serious concerns might include infection, episodes of interrupted breathing (apnea) and bleeding into the brain. Some premature babies have impaired hearing or vision. Others experience developmental delays, learning disabilities, motor deficits, or behavioural, psychological or chronic health problems.
Thankfully, medical technology has made it possible for premature babies to survive the first few days, weeks or months of life until they are strong enough to make it on their own. This means that most premature babies catch up and experience normal healthy development.
Although you might feel helpless, there are additional ways to provide care for your baby in the NICU. Both parents are generally encouraged by the NICU staff to interact with their baby. Here are some suggestions:
If you've just found out that your child has a birth defect, you're most likely experiencing many emotions. Understanding the nature and causes of birth defects can help reduce the confusion, fear and guilt often associated with them.
Birth defects are also called congenital anomalies or congenital abnormalities. They are abnormalities of structure, function, or body chemistry that are present in a baby at the time he or she is born. These will require medical or surgical care or could have some effect on a child's development. There are thousands of different types of birth defects, which can range from mild to severe. Some may even be life-threatening. In many cases, the cause of birth defects are not known, however research shows that they can be inherited or caused by environmental factors such as exposure to drugs, radiation, or illness. Doctors may detect a birth defect during prenatal testing.
Birth defects can affect almost any part of the body and may influence how the body looks, works, or both. There are two main types of birth defects: structural and functional.
Treatments for birth defects vary by disorder. Newborn babies who need intensive medical attention are often admitted into a special area of the hospital called the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The NICU combines advanced technology and trained healthcare professionals to provide specialised care for newborns.
If you want to find out more about pre-mature babies, check out the following associations:
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