Doctorate Of Medicine In Neonatology (DM - Neonatology)

What is a Doctorate Of Medicine  in Neonatology?

Doctorate of Medicine - DM is an advanced course in the field of medicine. A candidate who completes this program successfully gets a super specialty degree. It’s a 3-year long course. Neonatology is the study of problems and issues of the new-born, especially the premature or the ones with other ailments. The course has been approved by the Medical Council of India and is a sub-specialization program that falls under pediatrics.

Doctor of Medicine in Neonatology Or Neonatology is a 3 year long PostDoctoral Medicinal course, that falls under a subspecialty of pediatrics. Neonatology consists of medical care of newborn infants, specifically the premature and the ones who are really ill.

1. Neonatologists are specially trained to take care of newborns and infants who are not stable enough to be on their own, premature, or are delivered with lots of complications and hence not healthy enough. Neonatologists specifically work and practice in NICUs (Neonatal Intensive Care Units), made only for monitoring and taking care of newborns.
2. A DM in neonatology is also made to practice in NICUs for better experience and knowledge.
3. Premature or newborn infants may have problems like anemia, neonatal sepsis or infections, breathing problems, intraventricular hemorrhage, patent ductus arteriosus, jaundice, enterocolitis, and many such disorders. A neonatologist takes care of all the disorders and is also specialized in using equipment and performing certain necessary procedures that will support and help the baby.
4. Sometimes the baby is monitored very closely even after he/she is discharged by the neonatologist so that he/she can assess the health and growth of the baby. 
5. Neonatologists need to have dedication towards their work and should be willing to provide genuine care to patients. They should be able to work under pressure and should possess patience as they would be handling newborns and infants. Regarding the minimum qualification, one should complete medical college, followed by a training program in general pediatrics.

DM Neonatology: Future Scope:-

The government, private and various funding organizations have been working on maternal and neonatal services. With increasing population and increasing rate of child-birth, the graph of healthy newborns is descending, which has led to the development and popularization of neonatology as a course.

Neonatology is a prestigious course and comes with increased responsibility and is gaining popularity among the masses. Hospitals are growing their branches and giving importance to NICUs and their development. 

1. Neonatology Consultancy is also gaining popularity. Parents these days are really conscious regarding a child’s health and hence go for a consultancy from the very beginning of pregnancy.
2. Research can be another career prospect that is slowly gaining pace. Neonatology provides a wide range of research subjects.
3. Along with the government, private institutions are also hiring neonatologists and hence doctors with a DM in neonatology get hired straight out of college.

Highlights

Fees Structure

The fee structure for DM in Neonatology varies from college to college. The fee is generally less for Government Institutes and more for private institutes. The average fee structure for DM in Neonatology is around Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 12,00,000 per year.

Course Syllabus

Top Colleges

College Comparison

DM Neonatology V/s DM Neurology: Which is Better?

Career Options

After completing a DM in Neonatology, candidates will get employment opportunities in Government as well as in the Private sector.

In the Government sector, candidates have various options to choose from which include Registrar, Senior Resident, Demonstrator, Tutor etc.

While in the Private sector the options include Resident Doctor, Consultant, Visiting Consultant (Neonatology), Junior Consultant, Senior Consultant (Neonatology), Neonatology Specialist.

Job Profiles

With the advancing times and so much more, every course gives you a wide range of job prospects. There are several fields where a student having completed DM can work in.

• A DM Neonatology student can join NICUs of hospitals as a neonatologist or neonatal surgeon (if he has completed his MS). The job of a neonatologist is really risky and a very responsible one as it involves handling premature, newborn, and babies with severe ailments. With the increasing number of neonatologists, neonatal deaths have decreased manifold.
• Some DM(neonatology) students can also go for Neonatology Consultancy as an occupation. There are situations where consulting sometimes helps the parents as well as the pediatrician to know the underlying problem.

Some of the most common job profiles that a degree holder in DM Neonatology can opt for are mentioned in the table below:

Future Scope

The government, private and various funding organizations have been working on maternal and neonatal services. With increasing population and increasing rate of child-birth, the graph of healthy newborns is descending, which has led to the development and popularization of neonatology as a course.

Neonatology is a prestigious course and comes with increased responsibility and is gaining popularity among the masses. Hospitals are growing their branches and giving importance to NICUs and their development. 

• Neonatology Consultancy is also gaining popularity. Parents these days are really conscious regarding a child’s health and hence go for a consultancy from the very beginning of pregnancy.
• Research can be another career prospect that is slowly gaining pace. Neonatology provides a wide range of research subjects.
• Along with the government, private institutions are also hiring neonatologists and hence doctors with a DM in neonatology get hired straight out of college.

Admission Process For Doctorate Of Medicine  in Neonatology?

The Admission Process varies from college to college. There are various entrance exams conducted by state governments and private medical colleges. 

• Doctors who have cleared NEET-SS, AIIMS SS, JIPMER, OR PGIMER exam are usually allowed to take admission. A mandatory score of 50% is necessary for getting admissions.
• Once the entrance exam is cleared and the candidate gets through, there are sets of documents required for admission. 
• Some colleges even provide admission on a merit basis after you hold a degree in any MD/MS or any other equivalent degree.

Documents Required:

1. MBBS Certificate.
2. Internship/Training Completion.
3. CertificateProvisional/Permanent Registration Certificate issued by MCI.
4. Birth Certificate.
5. Certificate of Conduct.
6. Migration Certificate(in case you are changing college/university)

Admissions to the course are granted based on entrance examinations. Most of the colleges accept NEET-SS, a national level entrance exam. While some colleges provide admissions based on state or university level entrance exams.

Eligibility Criteria For Doctorate Of Medicine  in Neonatology

1. Applicants must have completed the 5-year long MBBS course from a recognized university or medical college.
2. Applicants must have completed MD/MS in pediatrics from any recognized university or any equivalent degree recognized by MCI to get enrolled in a college for DM in neonatology.

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:

Entrance Exams For Doctorate Of Medicine  in Neonatology

Several entrance exams are held for getting admitted into DM Neonatology.

NEET SS:Candidates must possess a postgraduate degree from a recognized universe/college to sit in this exam. It is the national level entrance exam for getting admission in DM/M.Ch courses. 40% of the questions are asked from the eligible feeder broad specialty course. The remaining 60% of questions are asked from the super specialty course which was selected by the candidate during the filling up of the form.

Candidates may choose two specialty courses for his/her eligibility. There will be separate question papers for each group. Around 100 questions will be asked that would be divided into Part A and Part B. The first exam’s duration is for 1 hour 45 minutes and the super-specialty is 3 hours 30 minutes.

Other accepted entrance exams for DM Neonatology are:

• All India Institute of Medical Science Entrance Exam - AIIMS PG
• Banaras Hindu University Entrance Exam
• Delhi University Superspeciality Entrance Test

DM Neonatology: Tip to Prepare for Entrance Exams:-

• One needs to work really hard, for the entrance exam. Prepare mnemonics, notes, use standard books and practice, solve papers and keep a track of the preparation.
• The candidates need to update themselves regarding the syllabus, exam dates, and books that they need to read and cover.

Preparation Tips For Doctorate Of Medicine  in Neonatology

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After completing the DM (Neonatology) course, the student will be able to :

Students wanting to go for DM in neonatology can avail of the course after completion of MD/MS from a recognized university.

Some of the good colleges having the neonatology program are: Rangaraya Medical College, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Lady Hardinge Medical College, All India Institute of Medical Sciences. The course fees range from INR 30,000 – INR 2.5 LACS. 

There are several subjects and details may vary from college to college. The important subjects covered are Perinatology, Neonatal Resuscitation, Neonatal Ventilation, Blood gas and Acid-Base Disorders, Neonatal Assessments and Follow-Up, Body Systems Transport of Neonatal. 

A person studying DM in neonatology is the one who handles risky and complex situations in the case of infants. A neonatologist is required to take care of the newborn and in case of serious ailments or risk to the baby, should also assist during the time of the delivery in the OT (Operation Theatre). 

In some cases where the problem is identified even before the baby is born, the neonatologist gets involved with the obstetrician and helps expecting mothers take care of their unborn. Neonatologists even monitor infants and look after them till they are stable or healthy.

Definition:

The term “Neonatology ” includes diseases of the foetus and neonate including the maternal influences on the fetus and perinatal interventions

SYLLABUS FOR D.M. NEONATOLOGY COURSE:-

1 Overview:-

The total period of DM course is 36 months. Of this, at least three fourths (27 months) will be spent in the newborn service, 6 months will be meant for essential rotations in related specialties and the rest 3 months will be apportioned for either optional rotations or for the newborn service.

2. Newborn services (27 months):-

The candidates will have at least 27 months of posting in the newborn services at concerned institutions. The candidates must get adequate exposure to Neonatal follow up, neonatal emergencies, delivery room care of neonates and acquisition of practical skills (specified in Annexure I).

3. Essential Rotations (6 monhs):-

• Perinatology – obstetrics (Dept. of Obstetrics-Gyenecology) : 2 months

• Neonatal surgery (Dept of Pediatric Surgery) : 1 month

• Community neonatology: 1 month

• Perinatal Cardiology and functional echocardiography: 15 days

• Ultrasonography and imaging: 15 days

• Child development clinic: 1 month

4 . Optional rotations (3 months):-

The candidates can undertake up to 2 months’ elective rotation at the parent or other institutions in the country or abroad at centres approved by the Government.

   The departments will have the flexibility of additional rotations for up to 1 month in the above mentioned disciplines or in other relevant areas (such as neonatal Cardiac Surgery, Genetics, Perinatal-pathology, Anaesthesiology, Neonatal Ophthalmology, etc.) depending upon the strength of the disciplines and functional requirements at the concerned institutions. [Under no circumstances however, would the training in neonatal services be of less than 27 months i.e three fourths of the total course.]

Why Study DM Neonatology?

Someone who's aspiring to become a neonatologist requires doing DM in Neonatology as it gives proper knowledge and education along with insight to the course. DM Neonatology has been popularising ever since it came into being. With changing times, the percentage of risky deliveries and babies with serious ailments are getting delivered, and hence the job of neonatologist has become more important.

• Neonatology is one of the most prestigious courses that a pediatrician or any student having an MD/MS can opt for.
• For aspiring researchers, Neonatology provides ample opportunities. Studies related to infants and their mortality rate gets really good funding. Researching newborns can bring in new ideas and exposure.
• The 3-year program can help doctors gain a lot of experience and help them specialize in a  lot of fields, including consultancy and physiology.