Neonatal Course

Lesson 1 • Gestational Age Classification

Defines preterm, term, and post-term categories and their clinical implications. Accurate classification guides risk stratification throughout the course.

Lesson 2 • Neonatal Anatomy and Physiology

Covers organ system development from fetal to neonatal life. Provides the physiological baseline needed for all subsequent clinical decision-making.

Lesson 3 • The Neonatal Unit Environment

Describes the physical layout, equipment, and team roles in a neonatal unit. Orients learners to the clinical setting before hands-on skill chapters.

Lesson 1 • Chest Compressions and Medications

Addresses indications, technique, and coordination of compressions with PPV. Introduces epinephrine and volume expansion as adjuncts.

Lesson 2 • Initial Steps of Stabilisation

Covers warmth, airway positioning, stimulation, and drying in the first 60 seconds. These steps form the foundation of every resuscitation sequence.

Lesson 3 • Positive Pressure Ventilation

Teaches mask sizing, seal technique, and ventilation rate for effective PPV. Correct PPV is the single most critical resuscitation intervention.

Lesson 4 • Post-Resuscitation Stabilisation

Guides care immediately after successful resuscitation to prevent secondary deterioration. Bridges the delivery room to the neonatal unit.

Lesson 1 • Transient Tachypnoea and Wet Lung

Distinguishes delayed fluid clearance from more serious pathology and outlines supportive management. Prevents unnecessary interventions in self-limiting conditions.

Lesson 2 • Mechanical Ventilation Basics

Introduces ventilator modes, settings, and weaning principles for neonatal use. Provides the framework for managing ventilated infants in subsequent chapters.

Lesson 3 • Meconium Aspiration Syndrome

Addresses pathophysiology, airway management, and complications of meconium aspiration. Includes pulmonary hypertension as a critical complication.

Lesson 4 • Recognising Respiratory Distress

Teaches clinical signs of neonatal respiratory compromise using validated scoring tools. Accurate recognition triggers timely escalation.

Lesson 1 • Congenital Heart Disease Recognition

Identifies critical and non-critical congenital heart lesions using clinical and diagnostic clues. Early recognition prevents cardiovascular collapse.

Lesson 2 • Patent Ductus Arteriosus

Covers haemodynamic significance, clinical presentation, and medical and surgical closure of PDA. PDA is the most common cardiovascular complication in preterm infants.

Lesson 3 • Neonatal Shock Management

Differentiates hypovolaemic, cardiogenic, and distributive shock and guides resuscitation. Correct shock classification prevents harmful fluid overload.

Lesson 4 • Neonatal Cardiac Physiology

Reviews fetal circulation and the haemodynamic changes at birth. Provides the physiological basis for interpreting cardiovascular signs.

Lesson 1 • Pathophysiology of Neonatal Sepsis

Explains immune immaturity and the mechanisms by which pathogens cause systemic infection. Establishes the biological rationale for early treatment.

Lesson 2 • Congenital Infections

Addresses TORCH infections, their neonatal presentations, and specific management. Distinguishes congenital from postnatally acquired infections.

Lesson 3 • Antibiotic Therapy and Stewardship

Covers empirical antibiotic selection, dosing by weight and age, and de-escalation principles. Stewardship reduces resistance and adverse drug effects.

Lesson 4 • Clinical Recognition of Infection

Identifies subtle and overt signs of neonatal sepsis across organ systems. Subtle signs are emphasised because neonates rarely present classically.

Lesson 1 • Neonatal Hypoglycaemia

Defines, screens for, and manages neonatal hypoglycaemia using a stepwise approach. Untreated hypoglycaemia causes irreversible neurological injury.

Lesson 2 • Electrolyte and Metabolic Disorders

Addresses sodium, potassium, calcium, and glucose imbalances common in neonatal care. Correct interpretation of lab values guides safe correction.

Lesson 3 • Parenteral Nutrition in Neonates

Teaches composition, initiation, and monitoring of parenteral nutrition for infants unable to tolerate enteral feeds. Covers central and peripheral access considerations.

Lesson 4 • Nutritional Requirements of Neonates

Defines caloric, protein, fat, and micronutrient needs across gestational ages. Accurate requirements guide individualised feeding prescriptions.

Lesson 1 • Intraventricular Haemorrhage

Explains IVH grading, risk factors, prevention strategies, and complications. IVH is a leading cause of neurodevelopmental disability in preterm infants.

Lesson 2 • Neonatal Seizures

Identifies seizure types, distinguishes them from jitteriness, and guides acute management. Seizures are a symptom requiring urgent etiological investigation.

Lesson 3 • Hypoxic-Ischaemic Encephalopathy

Covers HIE grading, therapeutic hypothermia criteria, and monitoring during cooling. Therapeutic hypothermia is the only proven neuroprotective intervention.

Lesson 4 • Neonatal Meningitis

Addresses clinical presentation, CSF interpretation, and antibiotic management of neonatal meningitis. Early treatment limits neurological sequelae.

Lesson 1 • Retinopathy of Prematurity

Explains ROP staging, oxygen management to reduce risk, and treatment thresholds. Timely screening and treatment prevent blindness in preterm infants.

Lesson 2 • Pain Assessment and Management

Teaches validated pain scoring tools and pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. Untreated pain impairs neurodevelopment and increases morbidity.

Lesson 3 • Neonatal Transport

Prepares learners to stabilise and safely transfer critically ill neonates to higher-level centres. Pre-transport stabilisation determines transport outcome.

Lesson 4 • Quality Improvement in Neonatal Units

Applies QI methodology to reduce harm and improve outcomes in neonatal care. Learners use data to identify gaps and implement sustainable changes.