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Every year over 14 million babies around the world are born prematurely, out of these over one million die due to premature birth complications; it is the job of neonatologists to keep this from happening. Neonatology is the field of medicine dedicated solely to the care of preterm or babies that are born with critical illnesses. The training of a neonatologist consists of four years of medical school, three years of general pediatrics, and an additional three years of training in intensive care of newborns. In addition to the training a neonatologist requires a certification from the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) and the sub-board of Neonatal-Prenatal Medicine (S-NPM).
Neonatologists are often faced with diagnosing newborns with complications such as breathing disorders, infections, injuries, and other birth defects. Once a diagnosis is done the next step is coordinating care and treatment. Some newborns can often suffer from injuries during childbirth, these can sometimes require surgeries that the neonatologists are responsible for schedule, attend, and sometimes even perform. They are also responsible for making sure that the newborns receive proper nutrition as well as following up and checking on growth and healing.
Sometimes neonatologists are required to be present at the time of birth to assist with the delivery. In these cases the obstetrician is aware of the baby’s defects and consults with the neonatologists throughout the pregnancy to assure the newborn’s wellbeing.

Neonatologists have multiple academic opportunities which include working in a laboratory, translational, clinical, epidemiological and/or health services research; educating teaching (medical students, residents, fellows, nurses, nurse practitioners, and/or physician assistants); and quality improvement and/or administrative activities.
As a baby’s and family first