Neonatology is a sub speciality category in the Paediatrics deparment of the medical field. This course focuses on study in medical care of new born babies/infants, specialy the ill or premature babies/new born infants. Neonatology provides complete training to generate highly professional experts who can responsibly provide the best clinical care to the new born infants. The students under this course get the first hand experience of handling complex and risky situations. After completion of the course students can serve as future professors, researchers, trainers in the field of Neonatology and Paediatric Department.
Top Colleges
Neonatology is regarded as one of the prominent specializations in the medical course. There are many reputed colleges in India that provide a full-time degree in this subject. Some of the top colleges that provide Neonatology as a course are mentioned below:
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
- Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry
- Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College, Mumbai
- Government Medical College Kottayam
- Madras Medical College, Chennai
- National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore
Highlights
The Highlights section of Neonatology contains all the course details in brief format for the effortless understanding of the students. This section contains brief information regarding the duration of the course, the admission process, eligibility criteria, top recruiters, etc
| Course Level | Doctorate |
|---|---|
| Course Duration | 3 years |
| Examination Type | Semester Based |
| Eligibility |
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| Admission Process |
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| Top Recruiters | Government Hospitals, Private Hospitals, Own Health Care, Research centres, Medical Health Centre, Rehabilitation centres, Medical Shop, etc |
| Top Career/Job Profiles | Neonatologist, NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit): Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, Respiratory Therapist, Registered Dietitian, etc |
Eligibility
Before applying for a degree in Neonatology, applicants have to check their eligibility as per certain criterias. The eligibility criteria contain some essential qualification requirements like Minimum marks, Minimum degree required, age limit, nationality, entrances, etc. If a candidate is found ineligible, then the registration of the candidate will be canceled. Therefore students are requested to check their eligibility properly before applying. The eligibility criteria of DM in Neonatology are mentioned below:
| Course Name | Course Duration | Eligiblity | Entrance |
|---|---|---|---|
| D.M in Neonatology | 2 years | The sttudents should have Biology, CHemistry and Physics as their main subjects in their 10+2 Students should have completed the MBBS course with a one-year internship. Candidates have to qualify the postgraduate entrance exam. |
JIPMER , NEET, AIIMS PG |
Top Recruiters
After completion of a degree in Neonatology, the candidates can choose from the numerous promising career oppurtunities provided in this field. Students are generally offered with lucrative job offers by the Medical Industry. The recruiters in this field search for trained and skilled professionals, as this area of work demands, Good theoritical knowledge and Research ability. Some of the top recruiters of Neonatology in India are mentioned below
- Government Hospitals
- Private Hospitals
- Private Clinics
- Research centres
- Medical Health Centre
Admission Process
Admission into Neuroradiology in most of the colleges is done on the basis of performance in the national entrance examination like NEET P.G, PGIMER. AIIMS, etc. However, some institutes carry out their own entrance exams followed by personal interviews and counseling in some cases. Only the students who score above or equal to the cut-off will be eligible for the admission process. The merit list of students will be prepared according to the cut-off mark. Many institutions have a Group Discussion stage, yet many institutions directly invite students for the counselling process. There are many colleges, universities or institutions who offer admission to selected candidates on the basis of their merit i.e. the aggregate marks in their last academic session.
Syllabus
In this section, subject curriculum of a full-time degree in Neonatology is briefly described. Syllabus contains entire course plan for the students. The curriculum/syllabus of Doctor of Medicine in Neonatology is mentioned below:
Subjects of Study
Basic Sciences
| Fatal and neonatal immunology | Mechanism of disease |
| Applied anatomy and embryology | Fetal-placental physiology |
| Neonatal adaptation | Development and maturation of lungs, respiratory control, lung functions, ventilation, gas exchange, ventilation-perfusion |
| Physiology and development of a cardiovascular system, developmental defects, physiology and hemodynamic of congenital heart disease | Fatal and intrauterine growth. |
| Development and maturation of the nervous system, cerebral blood flow, blood-brain barrier. | Fatal and neonatal endocrine physiology |
| Developmental pharmacology | Developmental haematology, bilirubin metabolism |
| Renal physiology | Physiology of gastrointestinal tract, digestion, absorption. |
| Electrolyte balance | Metabolic pathways pertaining to glucose, calcium and magnesium |
| Biochemical basis of inborn errors of metabolism |
General Topics
| Research methodology | Biostatistics |
| Ethics in perinatology/neonatology | Principles of education (objectives, curriculum, assessment and use of media) |
| Computer, information technology, internet |
Perinatology
| Perinatal and neonatal mortality, morbidity, epidemiology | High-risk pregnancy: detection, monitoring and management |
| Fetal monitoring, clinical, electronic; invasive, and non-invasive | Intrapartum monitoring and procedures |
| Assessment of fetal risk, and decision for termination of pregnancy | Diagnosis and management of fatal diseases |
| Medical diseases affecting pregnancy and fetus, psychological and ethical considerations | Fetal interventions |
| Fetal origin of adult disease |
Neonatal Assessment and Follow Up
| Assessment of gestation, neonatal behaviour, neonatal reflexes | Developmental assessment, detection of neuromotor delay, stimulation techniques |
| Immunization |
Body Systems
| Respiratory System | Cardiovascular system |
| Gastrointestinal system | Nutrition |
| Renal system | Endocrine and metabolism |
| Haematology | Neurology |
| Surgery and orthopaedics | Neonatal infections |
| Neonatal imaging | Neonatal ophthalmology |
| Neonatal Dermatology |
Organization of neonatal care
| Community neonatology | Vital statistics, health system |
| Causes of neonatal, perinatal death | Neonatal care priorities |
| Care at a secondary level of care | Care at a primary health centre |
| Role of different health functionaries | National programmes |
| National Neonatology Forum |
Neonatal Procedures (Developmental Assessment and Follow Up)
- Neonatal Resuscitation
- Neonatal Ventilation
- Blood Gas and Acid-Base Disorders
Skills Required
There are some of the primary skills set requried for a good future in the long run. Not all skills are inherited rather many have endured a long practicing period and then have earned a particular skill set. Some of the important skills required in this field of Neonatology are mentioned below:
- Strong Communication.
- Leadership Skills.
- Team work
- Ability to Concentrate
- Organizational skills.
- Problem-solving skills.
- Patience.
- Compassionate and Empathy.
Top Entrances
Students can apply for admission in to a degree in Neonatology, only after qualifying the college based entrance or national based entrance examination. The scorecard of national based entrance examination like NEET, AIIMS, JIPMER, etc is accepted by many top colleges of India.
- NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences)
- JIPMER (Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research Entrance Exam)
- NEET PG (National Eligibility Cum Entrances Test)
- AIIMS PG (All India Institute of Medical Science) DUMET (Delhi University Super Specialty Entrance Test)
- IHBAS (Institute Of Human Behavior and Allied Sciences)
Career and Job Prospectus
After completing the degree in Neonatology, aspirants can choose from the variety of options provided by the field. Their line of operation will be limited to the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), a place where infants/babies born prematurely or with birth orders are treated. This area of work demands utmost reponsibility and team work. Career/Job scopes include nurse, occupational therapist, dietitian, respiratory therapist or physical therapist. The team of medical staffs in the NCIU have their respective reposnsibilities as per their designations. Some of the top career and job prospectus of Neonatology is mentioned below:
| Job Tittle | Job Description | Average Salary per Annum |
|---|---|---|
| Neonatologist | Neonatologist generally work as a team of doctors of the NCIU. They can even act as supervisors of the team of mdeical staff. They are experienced pediatricians who have recieved advanced training for the special medical needs of NCIU. | Rs 8 - 20 Lakhs |
| Nurse | NCIU Nurses are those who have recieved a specialization in Neonatology. They are the registered nurse who work inside the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. These nurses are reponsible for keeping a check on the health conditions of the babies and even provide the required medical and basic needs. | Rs 2.5 - 8 Lakhs |
| Registered Dietitian | Registered Dietitian make sure of that the babies in the NCIU are getting proper nutrition. Doctors with a proper training or course in the field of nutrition for children can work as a Registered Dietitian in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. | Rs 5 - 15 Lakhs |
| Physical Therapist | Their reponsibility is to carry out physical evaluation of babies as well as providing, directing and administrating Physical Therapy for the same. They are committed to teamwork and as they coordinate with other physicians. They even provide Therapeutic programs for the physically disabled. | Rs 10 - 25 Lakhs |
| Occupational Therapist | Occupational Therapist are responsible for monitoring the development of babies central nervous system. They even provide therapies for the infants with neurosensory development delays. | Rs 3 - 7 Lakhs |
| Respiratory Therapist | Respiratory Therapist are trained prersonnel, who have the experience to use pediatric respiratory equipments. Generally, they administer the breathing therapy for the infants with breathing difficulties. Moreover they also evaluate the infants from time to time and record their progress. | Rs 3.5 - 7 Lakhs |
FAQ's
Q: Who is a Neonatologist?
A: Neonatologist generally work as a team of doctors of the NCIU. They can even act as supervisors of the team of mdeical staff. They are experienced pediatricians who have recieved advanced training for the special medical needs of NCIU.
Q: What are the top entrances for a degree in Neonatology?
A: Some of the top entrances are mentioned below:
Q: What are the top colleges providing a degree in Neonatology?
A: Some of the top colleges are mentioned below:
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
- Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry
- Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chennai
Q: What is the eligibility criteria for a degree in Neonatology?
A: The eligibility criteria are mentioned below:
- The sttudents should have Biology, CHemistry and Physics as their main subjects in their 10+2
- For a postgraduate Neurology course, students have completed the MBBS course with a one-year internship.
- Candidates have to qualify the postgraduate entrance exam.
Q: What are the Top Career Profiles associated with Neonatology?
A: Some of the top career profiles are Neonatologist, NCIU Nurse, Registered Dietitian, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, etc
Q: What is the duration of a course in Neonatology?
A: The duration of the course is 3 years
Q: What are the important skills required in this field?
A: The important skills are mentioned below:
- Excellent Communication
- Multi-tasker
- Self-motivation
- Patience
- Research and teaching
Q: Who are the top recruiters in this field of Neonatology?
A: Some of the top recruiters are mentioned below:
- Government Hospitals
- Private Hospitals
- Private Clinics
- Research centres
- Medical Health Centre
Q: What is the admission process in Neonatology?
A: Admission in Neonatology in most of the colleges is done on the basis of performance in the entrance examination. However, some institutes carry out their own entrance exams followed by personal interviews and counseling in some cases.
Q: What is the starting salary after a degree in Neonatology?
A: It depends on the organisation for which the person is working and his/her designation. However, the average starting salary can be around 2.5 - 3 lakhs per annum.
