Overview

A neonate is a new born in its first 28 days of life. It can be a full term infant or a premature baby, delivered before thirty-seven weeks. Neonatal care is a specialised field requiring trained personnel to manage these newborn infants.

Established in 1990, the Department of Neonatology provides the full range of monitoring, investigation and medical and surgical treatment of the newborn. There are 7 intensive care and 11 special care beds. Continuing outpatient care is provided through the growth and development clinic.

Teaching and Research
The Department provides teaching in neonatology for medical undergraduates and postgraduates. Research activities centre around the epidemiology, prediction and management of neonatal jaundice, the development of a screening strategy for newborn congenital hypothyroidism screening, and the study of immediate and long-term outcomes of extreme prematures and recipients of intensive care.