Neonatology is a subspecialty of pediatrics that consists of the medical care of newborn infants, especially the ill or premature newborn infant. It is a hospital-based specialty, and is usually practiced in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The principal patients of neonatologists are newborn infants who are ill or requiring special medical care due to prematurity, low birth weight, intrauterine growth retardation, congenital malformations (birth defects), sepsis, or birth asphyxias.

Rather than focusing on a particular organ system, neonatologists focus on the care of newborns that require ICU hospitalization. They may also act as general pediatricians, providing well newborn evaluation and care in the hospital where they are based. Some neonatologists, particularly those in academic settings, may follow infants for months or even years after hospital discharge to better assess the long term effects of health problems early in life. Some neonatologists perform clinical and basic science research to further our understanding of this special population of patients.

1. Normal New-born
All the children born at St. Philomena’s Hospital are seen by our pediatricians. Most deliveries are also attended by the pediatricians. We have well-equipped delivery rooms and a nursery to take care of the newborns. This is well supported by our Neonatal- trained nurses who provide full support to the mothers in taking care of the newborn baby. The pediatrician sees the newborn daily while they are in the Hospital. Before discharge from the Hospital, the baby receives the regular vaccinations. We also offer neonatal metabolic screening for thyroid and other related problems.

2. Neonatal problems
For sick neonates we have a well equipped Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), with well trained staff. There are 2 ventilators with state of the art monitoring equipment. We manage most neonatal problems including: Neonatal Jaundice/Respiratory distress/Hypoglycemia/ Infant of diabetic mothers/ care of the pre-term baby.

3. Older children
Emergencies: Bronchial asthma/ diarrhoea and vomiting with dehydration/ Allergic reactions/ Fits.

Other problems: Growth and development abnormalities/ Endocrine problems like hypothyroidism/ Hematological problems like anemia/ Renal problems like nephritic syndrome and urinary infections/ Neurological problems like Epilepsy/ Respiratory problems like asthma and pneumonia/ Infective problems like typhoid dengue and malaria etc.