Neonatology (Neonatal Intensive Care)

What is Neontology?

Neonatology department is the branch of medicine responsible for newborn health. Also called neonatal unit. The word neonatal describes newborns who have not yet completed their first 4 weeks after birth. Neonatology department applies treatments such as respiratory support, light therapy, tan transfer, intravenous feeding, examination of internal organs, catheterization when necessary, thoracic tube application in case of leakage in the lungs, eye examination, examination of brain development and heart health monitoring.

What are the Duties of a Neontology Specialist?

• Providing intravenous nutrition when necessary, preparing the necessary treatment plan for the diagnosed disease,
• Performing physical examinations such as breathing and crying monitoring,
• Closely monitoring the developmental processes of preterm babies,
• Collaboration with other branch specialists depending on the diseases seen,
• Performing the necessary tests for the diagnosis of health problems in babies,
• Keeping all vital functions under control until the discharge from the hospital is approved,
• Performing health checks in the entire process from the moment of birth to the discharge of the newborn,
• Providing not only the treatments but also the necessary care in babies with health problems,
• It is to inform parents about diseases and to explain what needs attention.

What are the Diseases and Symptoms in Newborn Babies?

• Hernia: Newborn hernias, which may be the size of a small hazelnut or walnut, swell slightly during crying and gain a more prominent appearance. It doesn't hurt your little one, it just appears as a slightly raised bump on their skin. Some hernias can grow in size with the baby.
• Impetigo: It manifests itself as tiny, yellowish rashes on the corners of the mouth and lips, on the face and around the nose. When the infection begins to spread, thick crusts that look like wounds may form in the area. Itching may occur in the infected areas.
• Rash: It appears as tiny red spots or intense red pimples on body folds, face, forehead and cheeks, arms and legs. Usually, your little one will not be bothered by these rashes.
• Colic: In colic, which usually starts after the 2nd week after birth, clenching the hands in the form of a fist, pulling the back like a bow, pulling their legs towards the blood with swelling like pain. Thrush:
•  A whitish appearance similar to thrush in the mouth area, especially on the inside of the mouth and on the tongue, and accompanying restlessness, irritability and refusal to suck are among the symptoms of thrush.
• Host: The formation of scaly crusts on the scalp, the appearance of a red, thick and hard layer is the symptom of the host. Especially the first month after birth is the most common period. However, in some cases, this period can be extended up to 6 months.
• Newborn Diarrhea: Liquid and smelly stools, such as water, are considered as symptoms of diarrhea when fluid is consumed without stopping for a long time, vomiting and abdominal pain, fever, weight loss and loss of appetite.
• Neonatal Jaundice: It manifests itself in the form of yellowing in the eyes and skin. The first yellowing starts inside the eyes and in the head area. Over time, it continues to spread to the chest area and from there to the arms and legs.
• Conjunctivitis: Conjunctivitis in your baby manifests itself as burrs in the eyes and sticking of eyelashes. First symptoms; itching in the eye, redness of the whites of the eyes, redness of the inside of the lower eyelid than normal, watering and tearing in the eyes. If you have noticed these symptoms, you may suspect conjunctivitis.