Neonatology

Antenatal factors related to neonatology

Understanding of fetal growth, development and physiology

Knowledge of maternal conditions and treatment affecting the newborn

Knowledge of peripartum factors affecting the newborn

​

Prematurity

Complications of Prematurity

• Anaemia of prematurity

• Apnoea of prematurity

• Bronchopulmonary dysplasia

• Intraventricular haemorrhage

• Patent ductus arteriosus

• Periventricular leucomalacia

• Respiratory distress syndrome

• Retinopathy of prematurity

 

Pulmonary physiology and pathophysiology

Basic pulmonary physiology as related to neonatal ventilation

Common neonatal respiratory conditions:

• Transient tachypnoea of the newborn

• Neonatal pneumonia

• Meconium aspiration syndrome

• Pneumothorax

• Pleural effusions

• Apnoea/hypopnoea in a term infant

• Congenital pulmonary malformations

• Congenital malformations causing airway obstruction

• Congenital anomalies causing respiratory disorders

​

Non-invasive and invasive ventilatory support

Understanding on operations of invasive and non-invasive ventilation, ventilation/oxygenation strategies

• Pressure regulation/targeting

• Volume regulation/targeting

• Triggering (pressure/flow/Edi)

• High frequency oscillatory ventilation (interpretation of frequency, tidal volume and DCO2)

• Use of inhaled nitric oxide

• Importance of PEEP and its relation with functional residual capacity and compliance

• Interpretation of trends of ventilator parameters

• Indications for surfactant therapy

 

Cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology

Transition from fetal to neonatal physiology

Congenital cyanotic heart disease

Congenital heart disease and heart failure

Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn

Principles of management of hypotension in newborn infants

​

Neonatal neurology

Neonatal encephalopathy

Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy and hypothermic therapy

Neonatal seizure and seizure management

Long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes of newborns with prematurity and/or brain injury

​

Neonatal nutrition

Importance of breastfeeding to normal infants and infants with medical problems

Enteral nutrition and parenteral nutrition

​

Neonatal emergencies

Early onset sepsis and late onset sepsis

Risk factors

Monitoring and screening of high-risk infants

Sepsis evaluation

Early recognition of sepsis and/or septic shock

Treatment of the septic infant

Appropriate use of antibiotics

Recognition and initial stabilisation of neonates with medical emergencies, e.g., acute metabolic decompensation

​​

Neonatal abnormalities

Recognition and initial management of infants with antenatal

diagnoses, dysmorphic features, suspected syndromal

diagnoses and congenital abnormalities

​

Common neonatal problems

Neonatal jaundice

Neonatal hypoglycaemia

Infants with common congenital abnormalities, e.g., urinary tract dilatation

Neonatal polycythaemia

Neonatal thrombocytopenia

Electrolyte disturbances in the newborn

Haemolytic diseases of the newborn

Birth injuries

Neonatal abstinence syndrome

​

Common surgical emergencies

Recognition and initial stabilisation of neonates with surgical emergencies

Medical management of newborn infants with intestinal obstruction, e.g., volvulus

Congenital gastrointestinal abnormalities, e.g., omphalocoele, congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Necrotising enterocolitis

​

Ethical issues in neonatology

Ethical issues related to borderline viability

Ethical issues related to redirection of care in a neonate

​

Examination of the well-appearing newborn

Assessment of newborn maturity

Newborn screening assessment

​

Desirable skills 

1. Interpretation of neonatal arterial and capillary blood gas results

2. Interpretation of trends of ventilator parameters

3. Basic skills of surfactant delivery

4. Head ultrasound examination

5. Injection of hyaluronidase for extravasations

6. Neonatal transport - intra-hospital transportation

​