Neonatology is one of the most rapidly advancing fields of medicine. Today's management may not be acceptable tomorrow. But the disease and disorder in infant remain the same. There was a time when management of sick neonates was considered privilege of handful of experts in the field of neonatology. Today every pediatrician must be in a position to manage normal and sick neonate. Keeping this in mind we have decided to publish updated versions of the evidence based protocols for management of common neonatal conditions.
Most good neonatal units follow protocol based management of sick neonates for uniform standard clinical care. Consenting to follow the agreed protocols serves as a catalyst for new ideas to improve clinical care. These protocols however must be viewed as generic in nature. Suitable adaptation may be done at individual centers through the process of consultation with other team members. As new evidence emerges, and ones own experience becomes richer, the protocols need to be updated and revised.
Our unit at AIIMS published a series of protocols in IJP in the year 2003; these protocols have been revised and modified in the light of current emerging evidences and changing practices in our unit. With better monitoring of oxygen therapy, supportive care of sick babies and rational use of blood transfusion as per nursery protocols at AIIMS, over last 15 years the number of babies with retinopathy of prematurity needing intervention has gradually declined. It happened as nurses and physicians followed standard protocols laid in house for management of sick babies. We are sure many of you who would adhere to these evidence based guidelines will notice better outcomes in survivals on follow up.
The editors are grateful to all those who have contributed for compilation of these evidence based protocols. One can access the protocols on our website www.newbornwhocc.org. We would welcome suggestions and comments, if any, which will improve quality of care of sick neonates in resource poor developing countries.
Prof. A.K. Deorari & Prof. V.K. Paul
Division of Neonatology
Department of Pediatrics
All India Institute of Medical Sciences
Ansari Nagar, New Delhi - 110 029
Administering Continuous Positive Airway Pressure in Neonates
Feeding of Low Birth weight Infants
Follow-up of High Risk Neonates
Kangaroo Mother Care an alternative to conventional care
Acute Renal Failure in Neonates
Chronic lung Disease in Newborns
Congenital Hypothyroidism
Parenteral Nutrition
Perinatal HIV
Post-resuscitation management of asphyxiated neonates
Fluid and electrolyte management in term and preterm neonates
Management of infants with intra-uterine growth restriction
Minimal Enteral Nutrition
Sepsis in the Newborn
Seizures in the Newborn
Jaundice in the Newborn
Hypoglycemia in the Newborn
Hypocalcemia in the Newborn
Polycythemia in the Newborn
Retinopathy of Prematurity
Apnea in the Newborn
Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Preterm Neonates
Approach to Inborn Errors of Metabolism Presenting in the Neonate
Blood and blood component therapy in neonates