Doctorate of Medicine - DM is an advanced course in the field of medicine. A candidate who completes this program successfully gets a super specialty degree. It’s a 3-year long course. Neonatology is the study of problems and issues of the newborn, especially the premature or the ones with other ailments. The course has been approved by the Medical Council of India and is a sub-specialization program that falls under pediatrics.
Students wanting to go for DM in neonatology can avail of the course after completing MD/MS from a recognized university.
Admissions to the course are granted based on entrance examinations. Most of colleges accept NEET-SS, a national-level entrance exam. While some colleges provide admissions based on state or university-level entrance exams.
Some of the good colleges having a neonatology program are: Rangaraya Medical College, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Lady Hardinge Medical College, All India Institute of Medical Sciences. The course fees range from INR 30,000 – INR 2.5 Lakhs.
There are several subjects and details may vary from college to college. The important subjects covered are Perinatology, Neonatal Resuscitation, Neonatal Ventilation, Blood gas and Acid-Base Disorders, Neonatal Assessments and Follow-Up, Body Systems Transport of Neonatal.
A person studying DM in neonatology is one who handles risky and complex situations in the case of infants. A neonatologist is required to take care of the newborn and in case of serious ailments or risk to the baby, should also assist during the time of the delivery in the OT (Operation Theatre).
In some cases where the problem is identified even before the baby is born, the neonatologist gets involved with the obstetrician and helps expecting mothers take care of their unborn. Neonatologists even monitor infants and look after them till they are stable or healthy.
This program is gaining pace slowly and has garnered attention thereby increasing the employment percentage and hence opening up a wide range of job prospects. Average starting salary ranges between INR 8 LACS-INR 10 LACS.
DM Neonatology: Course Highlights
| Course Level | Postgraduate Superspeciality |
| Full-Form | Doctorate of Medicine |
| Duration | 3 Years |
| Examination Type | Semester |
| Eligibility | MD/MS from a recognized university |
| Admission Process | Entrance exams at the national/state/university level |
| Course Fee | INR 10,000-INR 10,00,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 50,000- INR 10,00,000 PA |
| Top Recruiting Areas | Hospitals, Nurseries, Maternity homes, NICUs |
| Job Positions | Neonatologist, Neonatal Consultant, Neonatal Physicist, etc |
DM Neonatology: What Is It About?
Doctor of Medicine in Neonatology Or Neonatology is a 3-year long PostDoctoral Medicinal course, that falls under a subspecialty of pediatrics. Neonatology consists of medical care of newborn infants, specifically the premature and the ones who are really ill.
- Neonatologists are specially trained to take care of newborns and infants who are not stable enough to be on their own, premature, or are delivered with lots of complications and hence not healthy enough. Neonatologists specifically work and practice in NICUs (Neonatal Intensive Care Units), made only for monitoring and taking care of newborns.
- A DM in neonatology is also made to practice in NICUs for better experience and knowledge.
- Premature or newborn infants may have problems like anemia, neonatal sepsis or infections, breathing problems, intraventricular hemorrhage, patent ductus arteriosus, jaundice, enterocolitis, and many such disorders. A neonatologist takes care of all the disorders and is also specialized in using equipment and performing certain necessary procedures that will support and help the baby.
- Sometimes the baby is monitored very closely even after he/she is discharged by the neonatologist so that he/she can assess the health and growth of the baby.
- Neonatologists need to have dedication towards their work and should be willing to provide genuine care to patients. They should be able to work under pressure and should possess patience as they would be handling newborns and infants. Regarding the minimum qualification, one should complete medical college, followed by a training program in general pediatrics.
Why Study DM Neonatology?
Someone who's aspiring to become a neonatologist requires doing DM in Neonatology as it gives proper knowledge and education along with insight to the course. DM Neonatology has been popularising ever since it came into being. With changing times, the percentage of risky deliveries and babies with serious ailments are getting delivered, and hence the job of neonatologist has become more important.
- Neonatology is one of the most prestigious courses that a pediatrician or any student having an MD/MS can opt for.
- For aspiring researchers, Neonatology provides ample opportunities. Studies related to infants and their mortality rate gets really good funding. Researching newborns can bring in new ideas and exposure.
- The 3-year program can help doctors gain a lot of experience and help them specialize in a lot of fields, including consultancy and physiology.
DM Neonatology: Admission Process
The Admission Process varies from college to college. There are various entrance exams conducted by state governments and private medical colleges.
- Doctors who have cleared NEET-SS, AIIMS SS, JIPMER, OR PGIMER exam are usually allowed to take admission. A mandatory score of 50% is necessary for getting admission.
- Once the entrance exam is cleared and the candidate gets through, there are sets of documents required for admission.
- Some colleges even provide admission on a merit basis after you hold a degree in any MD/MS or any other equivalent degree.
Documents Required:
- MBBS Certificate.
- Internship/Training Completion.
- CertificateProvisional/Permanent Registration Certificate issued by MCI.
- Birth Certificate.
- Certificate of Conduct.
- Migration Certificate(in case you are changing college/university)
DM Neonatology: Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must have completed the 5-year long MBBS course from a recognized university or medical college.
- Applicants must have completed MD/MS in pediatrics from any recognized university or any equivalent degree recognized by MCI to get enrolled in a college for DM in neonatology.
DM Neonatology: Entrance Exams
Candidates may choose two specialty courses for his/her eligibility. There will be separate question papers for each group. Around 100 questions will be asked that would be divided into Part A and Part B. The first exam’s duration is for 1 hour 45 minutes and the super-specialty is 3 hours 30 minutes.Several entrance exams are held for getting admitted into DM Neonatology.
| Exam Name | Conducting Body | Registration Date | Exam Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEET-SS | National Board of Examinations (NBE) | To be Announced | To be Announced |
| AIIMS PG | AIIMS Delhi | To be Announced | To be Announced |
DM Neonatology: Tip to Prepare for Entrance Exams
- One needs to work really hard, for the entrance exam. Prepare mnemonics, notes, use standard books and practice, solve papers and keep a track of the preparation.
- The candidates need to update themselves regarding the syllabus, exam dates, and books that they need to read and cover.
DM Neonatology: How To get Admission to Good College?
- Getting into a good college can be a bit tough especially in specialization courses. One needs to hold a postgraduate degree with a minimum of 50% to get enrolled for DM(neonatology). Renowned colleges take students based on NEET-SS results and other degrees equivalent to MD/MS.
- Colleges also conduct individual entrance tests and take students based on merit along with qualification of NEET-SS etc.
- You need to study really hard to get into a good college and become a neonatologist as there are very few seats for this particular subspeciality course.
DM Neonatology: Course Syllabus
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fetal and Neonatal Immunology | Fetal and Neonatal Endocrine Physiology |
| Applied Anatomy and Embryology | Research Methodology |
| Neonatal Adaptation | Biostatistics |
| Fetal and Intrauterine Growth | Perinatal and Neonatal Mortality, Morbidity and Epidemiology |
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
| Intrapartum Monitoring | Neonatal Resuscitation |
| Diagnosis and Management of Fetal Diseases | Neonatal Ventilation |
| Medical Diseases | Blood Gas and Acid-Base Disorders |
| Physiological and Ethical Considerations | Neonatal Assessment |
| Semester 5 | Semester 6 |
| Neonatal reflexes and Neonatal behavior | Neonatal Ophthalmology |
| Immunization | Neonatal Dermatology |
| Development and Assessment of Neuromotor Delay | Transport of Neonates |
| Neonatal Imaging | Organization of Neonatal Care |
DM Neonatology: Top Colleges
| College Name | Average Annual Fees |
|---|---|
| All India Institute of Medical Science - AIIMS, New Delhi | INR 2,500-5,000 |
| St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore | INR 9,10,450 |
| Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research- JIPMER, Pondicherry | INR 27,000 |
| Christian Medical College, Vellore | INR 2,04,726 |
| Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi | INR 55,000 |
| Seth GS Medical College, Mumbai | INR 1,12,900 |
| Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education & Research, Kolkata | INR 10,000 |
| Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College, Pune | INR 15,00,000 |
| Govt. Chengalpattu Medical College, Kanchipuram | INR 1,26,000 |
| Kerala University of Health Science, Thrissur | INR 1,00,000 |
DM Neonatology: College Comparison
| Parameters | Christian Medical College | All India Institute of Medical Science |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | CMC holds the vision to provide healthcare in the spirit of Christ. | AIIms Delhi is the top institute for DM Neonatology in India. |
| Location | Vellore | New Delhi |
| NIRF Ranking | 3 | 1 |
| Average Fees | INR 2,00,000 | INR 2,500- INR 3,000 |
| Admission | NEET-SS | NEET-SS |
| Average Salary | INR 2-8 LPA | INR 1-10 LPA |
DM Neonatology V/s DM Neurology: Which is Better?
| Parameters | DM Neonatology | DM Neurology |
|---|---|---|
| Course Level | Postgraduate | Postgraduate |
| Course Duration | 3-Years | 3-Years |
| Examination Type | Semester | Semester |
| Top Colleges | AIIMS | Institute of Human Behavior and Allied Sciences, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, AIIMS, Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences etc |
| Eligibility | MD/MS or any equivalent degree from a recognized university. | MD/MS or any equivalent degree from a recognized university. |
| Admission Process | NEET-SS | NEET-SS |
| Course Fee | INR 30,000 -INR 26 LACS | INR 20,000 -INR 30 LACS |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 10 LPA | INR 12 LPA |
| Top Job Profiles | Neonatologist, Pediatrician, Neonatology Physician etc | Neurologist, Neurophysician etc. |
With the advancing times and so much more, every course gives you a wide range of job prospects. There are several fields where a student having completed DM can work in.
- A DM Neonatology student can join NICUs of hospitals as a neonatologist or neonatal surgeon (if he has completed his MS). The job of a neonatologist is really risky and a very responsible one as it involves handling premature, newborn, and babies with severe ailments. With the increasing number of neonatologists, neonatal deaths have decreased manifold.
- Some DM(neonatology) students can also go for Neonatology Consultancy as an occupation. There are situations where consulting sometimes helps the parents as well as the pediatrician to know the underlying problem.
Some of the most common job profiles that a degree holder in DM Neonatology can opt for are mentioned in the table below:
| Job Profiles | Job Description | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Neonatologist | A doctor who has completed a DM(neonatology): a subspecialty course that helps you master over taking care of newborns with serious ailments or premature babies. | INR 8-10 Lakhhs |
| Neonatal Consultant | A doctor who holds the degree i.e. DM(neonatology) and opts for consulting expecting parents regarding the health of their unborn baby. They also help the mother take good care of herself and monitor the baby’s health throughout. | INR 5 Lakhs |
| Neonatal Surgeon | A Doctor with an MS degree if completes DM(neonatology) can become a neonatal surgeon and treat premature babies if they require surgery | INR 8 Lakhs and above |
DM Neonatology: Future Scope
The government, private and various funding organizations have been working on maternal and neonatal services. With increasing population and increasing rate of child-birth, the graph of healthy newborns is descending, which has led to the development and popularization of neonatology as a course.
Neonatology is a prestigious course and comes with increased responsibility and is gaining popularity among the masses. Hospitals are growing their branches and giving importance to NICUs and their development.
- Neonatology Consultancy is also gaining popularity. Parents these days are really conscious regarding a child’s health and hence go for a consultancy from the very beginning of pregnancy.
- Research can be another career prospect that is slowly gaining pace. Neonatology provides a wide range of research subjects.
- Along with the government, private institutions are also hiring neonatologists and hence doctors with a DM in neonatology get hired straight out of college.
DM Neonatology: FAQs
Ques: What is DM(Neonatology)?
Ans: It's a subspecialty course that is 3 years long and helps one become a neonatologist. It’s a doctorate course and helps one specialize in the field of taking care and handling newborns, premature or babies with serious ailments.
Ques: What are the eligibility criteria for DM(Neonatology)?
Ans: One can get admission in a medical college having DM(Neonatology) if he/she holds an MD/MS degree or any equivalent degree and has qualified NEET-SS with a minimum of 50%.
Ques: Is DM(Neonatology) a difficult course?
Ans: Being a specialty course, it won’t be easy. DM(Neonatology) has a lot in the syllabus and needs dedication and hard work. The course requires a lot of patience and calm as it involves handling infants and newborns.
Ques: How many seats does DM(Neonatology) have?
Ans: There are a total number of 1286 seats for DM in India. Neonatology comes under that. There are few seats in good colleges in this particular course.
Ques: What are the various job prospects?
Ans: There are job profiles from research to surgery. One can become a Neonatologist, Neonatal Consultant, Neonatal Researcher, and Physician.
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