Neonatology

From ArticleWorld

The practice of neonatology is one that treats newborn infants that are either preterm or are very ill at the time of birth. Most neonatologists are hospital-based and work in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) or possibly in a special care nursery for infants who are less severely ill.

History

The active treatment of very ill or premature infants was not generally undertaken by doctors until the 20th century. Several World Fairs had sideshows of extremely preterm infants being cared for in incubators during the first half of the 20th century. The ability to mechanically ventilate an infant first came into practical use in the 1960s, allowing younger and younger infants to survive a preterm birth. Neonatology fellowships in the U.S. began in the later half of the 1900s. Today, those who study neonatology must be pediatricians who then subspecialize by undertaking a fellowship in neonatal medicine.

Scope

The majority of infants cared for by neonatologists are preterm. Infants as small as 450 grams and as early as 22 weeks gestation have a small but calculable chance of survival. Advances in neonatology have made it possible for the survival of infants weighing at least 2 pounds (1000 grams) and at 27 weeks gestation up to 95% of the time.

Neonatologists also treat infants with a wide variety of complex medical disorders. Infants born with infections or to drug-addicted mothers are treated in a NICU, if the medical situation is severe. Conjoined twins, infants with heart conditions and other medical disorders such as genetic disorders, breathing disorders, metabolic disorders and feeding disorders need neonatal care. Sometimes, neonatologists work with surgeons who specialize in surgery on the very young infant.

Neonatology, while a specialty set aside for medical doctors, is a field that is more team-oriented than most other medical specialties. The patients must be cared for around the clock by specialized NICU nurses and other trained personnel such as nutritionists, respiratory specialists and social services. The neonatologist must work closely with a team of well-trained individuals in order to have the success in treating the very ill or preterm infant.