NEONATOLOGIST

NEONATOLOGIST

What Is a Neonatologist?

Neonatologists are doctors who specialize in the care of newborn children. Newborns can present a unique set of health challenges that require a high level of skill and medical expertise to treat. This is particularly true of premature newborns and those with underdeveloped organs.

That said, 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.

What Does a Neonatologist Do?

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 (you may hear this called perinatal asphyxia)

Neonatologists are first and foremost pediatricians -- doctors responsible for the medical care of children. When something goes wrong, neonatologists are there to coordinate with other healthcare professionals to provide your baby the proper care.