Neonatology Elective

Course Overview

The goals of this elective are to understand how to resuscitate and stabilize a critically ill neonate, appreciate the pathophysiologic basis for common disorders of the newborn, and understand how to evaluate and manage common diseases of the newborn.

Learn about the Division of Neonatology.

Learning Objectives

• Describe the physiologic adaptation of the newborn to extrauterine life and the steps in neonatal resuscitation and stabilization
• Demonstrate proper and effective delivery room resuscitation techniques for newborns
• Perform an appropriate assessment (history, physical examination and initial diagnostic studies) and formulate a differential diagnosis for the following common signs and symptoms: prematurity, growth failure, respiratory distress, cyanosis, heart murmur, apnea/bradycardia, abdominal distension, dysmorphic features, hypoglycemia, jaundice, anemia, and thrombocytopenia
• Describe the pathophysiologic basis of and key principles of management for the following common conditions: respiratory distress syndrome, transient tachypnea, pneumonia, aspiration, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, congenital heart disease, infant of diabetic mother, hyperbilirubinemia, neonatal sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, apnea of prematurity
• Explain the indications for ordering, and interpret the results of the following laboratory and radiology tests: CBC/differential, hematocrit, blood type, Coomb's, serum electrolytes, fractionated bilirubin, blood gas, urinalysis, bacterial/viral cultures of blood/CSF/urine, CSF cell count, serologic tests, neonatal drug screening, NYS newborn screen, chest/abdomen radiographs, and head ultrasound
• Discuss the indications for, and appreciate the techniques in performing the following procedures: physiologic monitoring, endotracheal intubation, mechanical ventilation, venipuncture, arterial puncture, umbilical catheterization, urethral catheterization, lumbar puncture, phototherapy, pulse oximetry
• Communicate and work effectively with members of the NICU patient care team, and with parents and families of critically ill neonates

Schedule of Activities

The student is assigned to the GCH Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and works with the housestaff (aka Blue) team. The student will function as an acting intern, assuming primary responsibility for their patients under the supervision of the housestaff, neonatology fellows, and attending neonatologist. The student will work M-F, 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

Students will participate in the daily educational activities for the pediatric housestaff in the NICU, including morning report, attending rounds, bedside work rounds, radiology conference, and sign-out rounds. Additionally, the student will attend the weekly perinatal conference, fellows conference, and health team rounds.

Required Reading

A variety of instructional materials are available: "NICU Survival Guide," and numerous neonatology textbooks electronically through Miner Library. In addition, the URMC Intranet NICU website has direct links to Housestaff Guidelines and orientation information.

Student Evaluations

The student will review their experience with the attending neonatologists. To receive a grade of satisfactory, the student must be judged by them to have appropriately achieved the learning objectives.