MD in Neonatology is a 3-year long post-graduate course divided into a yearly/ bi-yearly semester pattern. The course is a post-doctoral program in medicine, designed to educate doctors in the sub-specialty of Pediatrics, i.e. medical care of newborn babies, provision of sophisticated clinical care to ill or premature infants, especially those born with low birth weight, intrauterine growth retardation, birth defects, or birth asphyxias.
The average course fee charged by medical institutes in India for MD in Neonatology ranges between INR 15 and 20 lacs, depending upon the institute offering the course. However, for AIIMS and PGIMER, the fees is as low as INR 5-7K for candidates qualifying the relevant entrance exam. The minimum eligibility to pursue the course in India is the successful completion of MD in Pediatrics, with a minimum aggregate score of 45%, completed from a recognized university.
Neonatologists employed in the government sector in India can expect an average annual salary ranging between INR 10 and 15 lacs, and between INR 12 and 25 lacs in the corporate sector, increasing with experience in the field.
MD in Neonatology: Course Highlights
Listed below are some of the major highlights of the course.
| Course Level | Post Graduate |
| Duration | 3 Years |
| Examination Type | Semester System |
| Eligibility | MD in Paediatrics from a recognized institute |
| Admission Process | Counselling after qualification of a relevant PG entrance examination |
| Course Fee | INR 15 to 20 Lakhs |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 10 to 15 Lakhs |
| Top Recruiting Fields/Areas | Top hospitals such as AIIMS, MAX, and CMC etc. Private Practice Teaching and research. |
MD in Neonatology: What is about?
MD in Neonatology has been designed to offer advanced training to doctors working in Neo-Intensive care unit environments. The course aims to produce medical super-specialists who are able to diagnose, treat, and take care of the new born with appropriate care and safety.
The course is usually pursued by qualified Pediatrics towards becoming Neonatologists who treat new born infants suffering from breathing disorders, infection, birth defects, or other such conditions. Such postgraduates are trained to manage critical medical conditions in premature infants and to perform required surgical operations with high level of expertise. Neonatologists are also responsible for ensuring that the infant receives the right proportion of nutrients, and grows in a healthy manner.
Top Institutes offering MD in Neonatology
Some of the top institutes in India offering the course are listed here along with the corresponding locations and fees charged by each.
| NAME OF INSTITUTE | STATE | AVERAGE TUITION FEES (PER YEAR) IN INR |
|---|---|---|
| All India Institute of Medical Sciences | New Delhi | 5,000 |
| Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute | Chennai, TN | 15,00,000 |
| Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) | Puducherry | 8,205 |
| Madurai Medical College | Madurai, TN | 15,000 |
| Maharashtra University of Health Sciences | Nasik, Maharashtra | 60,000 |
| Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Medical College and Hospital | Ernakulam, Kerala | 3,10,000 |
| Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research – PGIMER | Chandigarh | 7,000 |
| Ranga Raya Medical College | Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh | 11,000 |
| Savitribai Phule Pune University | Pune, Maharashtra | 15,000 |
| Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College | Mumbai, Maharashtra | 29,600 |
Eligibility for MD in Neonatology
Candidates aspiring to pursue the course must meet the minimum eligibility criteria listed below.
- Successful completion of MD in Pediatrics from a recognized university, or equivalent diploma of the National Board in Pediatrics.
- A minimum aggregate score of 45% at the level of MD in Pediatrics.
MD in Neonatology: Admission Process
Most institutes offering the course admit students based on their performance in a relevant entrance test. Some institutes conduct their own entrance tests for offering admission. Admission process generally varies across colleges.
Generally, the following admission tests are preferred by top colleges across India offering the course:
- All India Post Graduate Medical/Dental Entrance Exam
- Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research Entrance Exam
- Separate exams conducted by AIIMS, PGI, GMCH, AFMC Pune, etc.
However, some medical institutes in India also provide direct admission to eligible candidates based on the latter’s performance at the level of MD in Pediatrics, and relevant work experience.
MD in Neonatology: Syllabus and Course Description
A section-wise breakup of the course’s syllabus is tabulated below.
Basic Sciences |
General Topics |
| Basic genetics | Research methodology, Teaching methodology, Biostatistics, Epidemiology |
| Fetal and neonatal immunology | Health economics, Health Information System |
| Applied anatomy and embryology | Ethics in Perinatology / Neonatology |
| Feto-placental physiology | Medical education, Computer & Information technology |
| Fetal growth | |
| Neonatal adaptation |
Neonatology |
| Physiology and Development of Respiratory system, Cardiovascular system, developmental, defects, physiology and hemodynamics of congenital heart disease, | Neonatal resuscitation |
| Nervous system, gastrointestinal system, Renal system, Hematopoietic system, Endocrinal system | Management of normal newborn |
| Metabolic pathways pertaining to glucose, calcium and magnesium | Management of LBW, VLBW, ELBW infants |
| Biochemical basis of inborn errors of metabolism | Management of sick neonate |
| Electrolyte balance | Emergency neonatal care |
| Development pharmacology | Thermoregulation |
| Mechanism of disease | Neonatal transport |
| Fluid & electrolyte management | |
Perinatology |
Neonatal ventilation |
| Perinatal outreach services | Blood gas and acid base disorders |
| Perinatal and neonatal mortality, morbidity, epidemiology (Perinatal Audit) | Neonatal assessment |
| High risk pregnancy & impact on the fetus | Assessment of gestation, neonatal behavior, neonatal reflexes |
| Fetal monitoring and Fetal intervention | Developmental assessment, detection of neuromotor delay, stimulation |
| Intrapartum monitoring and procedures | Techniques |
| Genetic counseling, Diagnosis and management of fetal diseases | - |
Respiratory System |
Cardiovascular System |
| Neonatal airways: physiology, pathology; management | Fetal circulation, transition from fetal to neonatal physiology |
| Pulmonary diseases: hyaline membrane disease, transient tachypnea, | Examination and interpretation of cardiovascular signs and symptoms |
| Oxygen therapy and its monitoring | Special tests and procedure (Echocardiography, angiography) |
| Pulmonary infections | Diagnosis and management of congenital heart diseases |
| Miscellaneous pulmonary disorders | Rhythm disturbances |
| Hypertension in neonates | |
Neurology |
Shock: pathophysiology, monitoring, management |
| Clinical neurological assessment | Gastrointestinal system |
| EEG, ultrasonography, CT scan | Disorders of liver and biliary system |
| Neonatal seizures | Bilirubin metabolism |
| Intracranial hemorrhage | Neonatal jaundice, Prolonged hyperbilirubinemia, Kernicterus |
| Brain imaging | Congenital malformations |
| Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy | Necrotizing enterocolitis |
| Neuro-muscular disorder | |
| Degenerative diseases |
Renal System |
| CNS malformation | Development disorders |
| Renal functions | |
Neonatal Ophthalmology |
Fluid and electrolyte management |
| Development aspects | Acute renal failure (diagnosis, monitoring, management). |
| Retinopathy of prematurity | Endocrine and metabolism |
| Sequelae of perinatal infections | Glucose metabolism, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia |
| Neonatal Hearing assessment | Calcium disorders |
| Community neonatology | Magnesium disorders |
| Vital statistics | Thyroid disorders |
| Health system | Adrenal disorders |
| Neonatal care priorities | Ambiguous genitalia |
| Care at primary, secondary & tertiary level of care | Inborn errors of metabolism |
| Role of different health functionaries | Hematology |
| Physiology | |
National Programs |
Anemia |
| National Neonatology Forum | Polycythemia |
| Neonatal dermatology | Bleeding and coagulation disorders |
| Neonatal Imaging | Rh hemolytic disease |
| Developmental assessment and follow up | Blood Component therapy |
| Organization of neonatal care | |
| Adoption |
Neonatal Infections |
| Recent Advances | Intrauterine infections |
| Laboratory Medicine | Superficial infections |
| Neonatal procedures | Diarrhea |
| Therapeutic agents | Septicemia |
| Biomedical equipment, use & maintenance. | Meningitis |
| - | Osteomyelitis and arthritis |
| - | Pneumonias |
| - | Perinatal HIV |
| - | Miscellaneous infective disorders & fungal infections |
MD in Neonatology: Career Prospects
Successful postgraduates of the course have the professional options of assuming job roles such as Neonatologist, Hospital Administrator, Clinical Research Associate, Consultant, Professor, etc., with an average annual salary ranging between INR 7 and 20 lacs.
Some of the popular professional avenues open to successful postgraduates of the course are listed below with the corresponding salaries offered for the respective positions.
![Doctorate of Medicine [MD] in Neonatology](
https://images.collegedunia.com/public/image/Doctorate of Medicine [MD] in Neonatology.png)
| Job Title | Job Profile | Average Annual Salary in INR |
|---|---|---|
| Neonatologists | Neonatologists address all medical problems concerning infants. They provide professional medical care and treatment to premature infants and critically ill newborns. | 12,00,000 to 24,00,000 |
| Assistant Professor in Neonatology | A Professor or Assistant Professor in the field of Neonatology educates students on various conditions that newborns may be born with or assume shortly after birth. They train such students in the relevant therapies and surgical procedures. | 4,60,000 to 11,00,000 |
| Consultant | Consultants examine, give primary treatment, and recommend suitable medication and surgery to the newborns’ parents. | 7,80,000 to 12,00,000 |
| Clinical Research Associate | Clinical Research Associates collaborate with medical experts, clinical study sites, and clinical study vendors to understand and innovate various devises and ways to cure and prevent problems associated with newborn babies. | 6,00,000 to 15,00,000 |
| Hospital Administrator | They are responsible for maintaining day-to-day activity and operation of a hospital/clinic. They help in the management of the organization and co-ordinate with other departments to ensure smooth functioning of the medical body. | 10,00,000 to 40,00,000 |
