Many neonatal problems can be anticipated or prevented by awareness of conditions that are detected antenatally (Tables 22.1 and 22.2) or which develop during labor or delivery (Table 22.3). This necessitates close liaison between the health professionals caring for the mother and fetus and pediatricians. Some common examples of problems and management plans which may occur in the neonatal period are listed below. They are described in more detail in the relevant chapters.
Most newborn infants are healthy, but may develop some of the clinical problems described below. Differentiating the clinically significant from the transient and benign can be difficult. An approach to these problems is given in Fig. 22.1. For details see specific chapters.
Fig. 22.1 Common medical problems of term infants in the first few days of life.