Neonatology

Neonatology

Neonatology is a specialized branch of pediatrics that focuses on the care of newborn infants, particularly those who are born prematurely or with medical conditions that require intensive care. At Mehta Hospital, we have a team of experienced and skilled neonatologists who are dedicated to providing the highest quality care to our tiniest patients.

What is Neonatology?

Neonatology is a branch of pediatrics that focuses on the care of newborn infants, particularly those who are born prematurely or with medical conditions that require intensive care. Neonatologists are medical doctors who specialize in the care of newborns and have undergone additional training in this field.

The care of premature infants requires specialized equipment and techniques, and neonatologists work closely with a team of healthcare professionals to provide the best possible care for these infants. The team may include nurses, respiratory therapists, dieticians, social workers, and other specialists as needed.

Conditions Treated in Neonatology

At Mehta Hospital, our neonatologists are trained to treat a wide range of conditions that affect newborn infants, including:

1. Premature birth: Infants born before 37 weeks of gestation are considered premature and may require specialized care.
2. Respiratory distress syndrome: This condition is common in premature infants and is caused by a lack of surfactant, a substance that helps the lungs to function properly.
3. Jaundice: This is a condition that causes yellowing of the skin and eyes and is caused by an excess of bilirubin in the blood.
4. Infections: Newborns are at risk of infections, particularly if they are premature or have a weakened immune system.
5. Congenital anomalies: Some infants are born with birth defects or abnormalities that require specialized care.
6. Cardiac abnormalities: Some infants are born with heart defects that require specialized care.
7. Feeding difficulties: Some infants may have difficulty feeding and may require specialized feeding techniques or nutrition.

Treatment in Neonatology

At Mehta Hospital, our neonatologists use a variety of techniques and equipment to care for our tiniest patients, including:

1. Respiratory support: Premature infants often require respiratory support to help them breathe, such as mechanical ventilation, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), or high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy.
2. Nutritional support: Infants may require specialized formulas or breast milk, and some may require tube feeding or intravenous (IV) nutrition.
3. Monitoring: Infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) require close monitoring of their vital signs, blood oxygen levels, and other parameters.
4. Medications: Infants may require medications to treat infections, manage pain, or treat other medical conditions.
5. Surgery: Some infants may require surgery to correct congenital anomalies or other medical conditions.
6. Family-centered care: We believe in providing family-centered care, which involves involving parents and other family members in the care of their infant and providing support and education to help them care for their baby.

Advances in Neonatology

Advances in neonatology have improved the survival rates and outcomes of premature and critically ill newborns. Some of the advances include:

1. Surfactant therapy: The development of surfactant therapy has greatly improved the survival rates of premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome.
2. Non-invasive respiratory support: The use of non-invasive respiratory support, such as CPAP and HFNC, has reduced the need for mechanical ventilation and its associated risks.
3. Parenteral nutrition: The development of parenteral nutrition has improved the nutritional support available to premature and critically ill infants.
4. Neonatal surgery: Advances in neonatal surgery have improved the outcomes of infants with congenital anomalies or other medical conditions that require surgery.