Neonatologist Course

Lesson 1 • Neonatal Assessment and APGAR Scoring

Teaches systematic newborn physical examination and APGAR scoring methodology. Accurate initial assessment identifies infants requiring immediate intervention.

Lesson 2 • Neonatal Physiology and Adaptation

Covers cardiopulmonary, metabolic, and thermoregulatory transitions at birth. Provides the physiological baseline required for all subsequent clinical decision-making.

Lesson 3 • Gestational Age and Growth Classification

Defines preterm, term, and post-term categories alongside growth classifications. Accurate classification drives risk stratification and management planning.

Lesson 1 • Post-Resuscitation Stabilization

Addresses glucose management, temperature control, and monitoring after resuscitation. Stabilization prevents secondary injury before NICU transfer.

Lesson 2 • Advanced Airway Management

Covers endotracheal intubation, laryngeal mask airway use, and confirmation of placement. Airway mastery is prerequisite to chest compressions and medication delivery.

Lesson 3 • Chest Compressions and Medications

Details two-thumb technique, compression-to-ventilation ratio, and epinephrine administration. Correct execution improves return of spontaneous circulation rates.

Lesson 4 • Delivery Room Preparation and Team Roles

Covers equipment checks, team briefing, and role assignment before high-risk deliveries. Preparation reduces response time and errors during resuscitation.

Lesson 1 • Transient Tachypnoea and Meconium Aspiration

Differentiates TTN from MAS and outlines management for each condition. Both conditions require distinct approaches despite overlapping presentations.

Lesson 2 • Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn

Addresses PPHN diagnosis, vasodilator therapy, and ECMO criteria. PPHN represents a life-threatening failure of normal postnatal pulmonary vascular transition.

Lesson 3 • Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Covers surfactant deficiency pathophysiology, diagnosis, and surfactant replacement therapy. RDS is the most common respiratory condition in preterm infants.

Lesson 4 • Mechanical Ventilation in Neonates

Covers conventional and high-frequency ventilation modes, settings, and lung-protective strategies. Ventilator management directly affects BPD risk and outcomes.

Lesson 1 • Neonatal Shock and Vasopressor Therapy

Classifies distributive, cardiogenic, and hypovolaemic shock and matches treatment to aetiology. Vasopressor selection depends on shock mechanism and cardiac function.

Lesson 2 • Arrhythmias and ECG Interpretation

Covers normal neonatal ECG parameters and management of common arrhythmias. Arrhythmia recognition prevents haemodynamic deterioration in vulnerable newborns.

Lesson 3 • Patent Ductus Arteriosus Management

Covers PDA pathophysiology, clinical significance, and medical versus surgical closure. PDA management decisions affect fluid balance, ventilation, and NEC risk.

Lesson 4 • Neonatal Haemodynamic Assessment

Teaches clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic evaluation of neonatal circulation. Accurate haemodynamic assessment guides fluid, vasopressor, and inotrope decisions.

Lesson 1 • Neonatal Seizure Recognition and Treatment

Differentiates clinical from electrographic seizures and outlines antiepileptic drug protocols. Untreated seizures worsen brain injury and require prompt pharmacological management.

Lesson 2 • Hypoxic-Ischaemic Encephalopathy

Covers HIE grading, therapeutic hypothermia protocols, and prognostic assessment. HIE is the leading cause of neonatal brain injury requiring active neuroprotection.

Lesson 3 • Neonatal Meningitis and CNS Infections

Covers CSF interpretation, empiric antibiotic selection, and neurological sequelae of neonatal meningitis. CNS infections require urgent diagnosis to limit long-term disability.

Lesson 4 • Neuromonitoring and Neuroprotection

Introduces aEEG, NIRS, and neuroprotective care bundles for high-risk neonates. Continuous monitoring enables early detection of deterioration and guides intervention.

Lesson 1 • Fungal Infections in Preterm Infants

Covers Candida sepsis risk factors, diagnosis, and antifungal prophylaxis and treatment. Invasive fungal infections carry high mortality in extremely preterm infants.

Lesson 2 • Neonatal Immunology and Vaccination

Explains passive immunity, immune deficiency recognition, and neonatal vaccination schedules. Understanding immune function guides infection prevention and immunisation timing.

Lesson 3 • Early-Onset Sepsis Evaluation

Covers risk factor assessment, biomarker interpretation, and empiric antibiotic initiation for EOS. Timely treatment prevents septic shock and multiorgan failure.

Lesson 4 • Late-Onset Sepsis and NICU-Acquired Infections

Addresses coagulase-negative staphylococcal and gram-negative LOS and central line infection prevention. NICU-acquired infections are a leading cause of morbidity in preterm infants.

Lesson 1 • Necrotising Enterocolitis

Covers NEC staging, medical management, and surgical indications using Bell's criteria. NEC is the most devastating GI emergency in preterm infants.

Lesson 2 • Parenteral Nutrition in the NICU

Teaches PN composition, compounding, and complication monitoring for critically ill neonates. PN sustains nutrition when enteral feeding is contraindicated or insufficient.

Lesson 3 • Neonatal Nutrition Principles

Covers macronutrient and micronutrient requirements across gestational ages and postnatal stages. Adequate nutrition is foundational to brain development and somatic growth.

Lesson 4 • Enteral Feeding Strategies

Covers human milk prioritisation, feeding advancement protocols, and fortification strategies. Enteral feeding promotes gut maturation and reduces PN-associated complications.

Lesson 1 • NICU Discharge Planning and Follow-Up

Covers discharge readiness criteria, caregiver education, and high-risk infant follow-up programmes. Structured discharge planning reduces readmission and supports neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Lesson 2 • Metabolic and Endocrine Disorders

Addresses hypoglycaemia, hypocalcaemia, inborn errors of metabolism, and thyroid disorders. Metabolic emergencies require rapid identification to prevent irreversible neurological injury.

Lesson 3 • Neonatal Haematology and Jaundice

Covers anaemia, polycythaemia, coagulopathy, and hyperbilirubinaemia management in neonates. Haematologic disorders are ubiquitous in the NICU and require systematic management.

Lesson 4 • Neonatal Pain and Comfort Care

Covers pain assessment tools, pharmacological and non-pharmacological analgesia, and palliative care. Untreated pain causes physiological instability and long-term neurodevelopmental harm.