WHO is a Neonatologist ?

Neonatologists are doctors who specialize in the care of newborn children. They are basically pediatricians specialized in newborn care.Newborns can present a unique set of health challenges that require a high level of skill and medical expertise to treat.

Neonatologists also play an important role in more routine aspects of care, like counseling parents before, during, and after childbirth. Their training helps them prepare parents for the everyday aspects of caring for newborns.

Why is it important to have a neonatologist in each case of delivery?

Although most children are born without problems, neonatologists are the first line of support in a high-risk birth. Complications that might require their help include:

• Respiratory or digestive systems that aren’t fully developed
• Premature labor
• Lack of oxygen/perinatal asphyxia
• Transient tachypnoea of newborn
• Delivery of a baby weighing less than 1500 grams.
• Delivery of baby with congenital birth defects

What will a neonatologist do in the first check?

The newborn’s cry, heartbeats, respiratory status, oxygen saturation, skin color, muscle tone are noted. Togaher it is called APGAR score.

According to APGAR score, the decision to give the baby to mother or to keep it under observation or to take into Neonatal ICU is taken.

Injection Vitamin K is given to all infants.

First vaccine doses of BCG, Hep B and Polio are given within the first 72 hours after delivery at hospital.

Hence availability of Neonatologist at the time of delivery is of utmost importance and always maintained at Aarya Women's Hospital for better perinatal outcome.