Do Neonatologists Perform Surgery? | Sai Hospital, Haldwani

When a baby is born prematurely or with medical complications, one of the first specialists involved in their care is a neonatologist. These are doctors who specialize in caring for newborns who need intensive medical attention. But one common question many parents ask is — do neonatologists perform surgery?

The short answer is no, neonatologists usually do not perform surgeries themselves. However, they play a critical role before, during, and after a surgical procedure by stabilizing and managing the newborn’s overall health. Let’s understand this in detail.

Who Is a Neonatologist?

A neonatologist is a pediatrician who has undergone additional training in neonatal-perinatal medicine, focusing specifically on the care of newborns — especially those who are premature, have low birth weight, or suffer from conditions requiring specialized treatment.

Their role is not that of a surgeon, but rather of a medical specialist and coordinator. They ensure that newborns remain stable and healthy enough to undergo treatments or surgeries when needed.

At Sai Hospital, Haldwani, neonatologists work in close collaboration with pediatric surgeons, anesthesiologists, and intensive care teams to provide round-the-clock neonatal support.

What Does a Neonatologist Do?

Neonatologists primarily work in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs), where the tiniest and most vulnerable patients receive specialized medical attention. Their responsibilities include:

• Monitoring vital signs such as heart rate, oxygen levels, and temperature
• Managing premature babies who need support for breathing, feeding, or temperature regulation
• Treating infections and congenital disorders in newborns
• Coordinating with other specialists for surgery or complex interventions
• Guiding parents on neonatal health, feeding, and long-term care

Essentially, they are the first line of medical defense for newborns who need intensive care after birth.

The Role of Neonatologists in Surgery

While neonatologists don’t perform surgery themselves, their role in surgical cases is extremely vital. They manage the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care of infants who undergo surgery.

Here’s how they contribute during each phase:

1. Before Surgery (Preoperative Care)

• Assess whether the newborn is healthy enough for surgery.
• Stabilize breathing, heart rate, and body temperature.
• Manage nutrition and hydration through IV or feeding tubes.
• Coordinate with pediatric surgeons and anesthesiologists.

For example, if a baby has a congenital condition like an intestinal blockage or heart defect, the neonatologist ensures the baby’s organs are functioning well enough to tolerate surgery.

2. During Surgery (Intraoperative Care)

Although not inside the operation theatre performing the procedure, neonatologists are closely involved in monitoring the baby’s condition alongside anesthesiologists. They ensure oxygen levels, blood pressure, and temperature are maintained throughout the procedure.

3. After Surgery (Postoperative Care)

Once surgery is done, neonatologists take over again in the NICU. Their focus is on:

• Managing pain and medication
• Preventing infections
• Supporting feeding and recovery
• Monitoring long-term growth and development

At Sai Hospital, this teamwork ensures that every newborn receives comprehensive care throughout the surgical process — not just during the operation itself.

Who Actually Performs Surgery on Newborns?

The pediatric surgeon performs surgical procedures on infants, children, and adolescents — including newborns. Pediatric surgeons are specifically trained to handle delicate surgeries involving tiny organs and fragile tissues.

Some of the common surgeries they perform include:

• Congenital heart defects (in coordination with pediatric cardiologists)
• Digestive tract abnormalities such as intestinal blockage or malrotation
• Hernia or hydrocele repair
• Neural tube defects (like spina bifida)
• Cleft lip and palate repairs
• Emergency surgeries for conditions like perforations or infections

During such cases, neonatologists ensure that the baby’s body is medically stable both before and after these operations.

The Importance of Teamwork in Neonatal Care

In modern hospitals like Sai Hospital, Haldwani, neonatal care is multidisciplinary. It involves neonatologists, pediatric surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and respiratory therapists working together.

Each specialist has a clearly defined role:

• Neonatologist – monitors and manages overall health
• Pediatric Surgeon – performs surgical procedures
• Anesthesiologist – ensures safe anesthesia during surgery
• NICU Nurses – provide round-the-clock monitoring and hands-on care

This collaboration ensures newborns get the highest standard of safety and recovery support.

When Do Babies Need Surgical Support?

Not every baby in the NICU needs surgery, but some are born with congenital anomalies or develop complications that require surgical correction. Common conditions include:

• Congenital diaphragmatic hernia – a hole in the diaphragm
• Intestinal obstruction or atresia
• Spina bifida – a neural tube defect
• Heart defects like patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
• Esophageal atresia – when the food pipe doesn’t connect properly to the stomach

In such situations, neonatologists work closely with pediatric surgeons to ensure smooth and safe care transitions.

What Happens After a Baby’s Surgery?

Post-surgery, neonatologists play an even bigger role. They continuously monitor the baby’s recovery and ensure that vital functions remain stable.

Their tasks include:

• Managing ventilators and oxygen support
• Regulating fluids and feeding gradually
• Preventing infections through sterile care
• Observing healing and monitoring organ function
• Guiding parents through post-surgery care and follow-ups

At Sai Hospital, the NICU is equipped with advanced monitoring systems, incubators, and round-the-clock expert care to help babies recover safely.

Why Neonatologists Are Essential Even Without Performing Surgery

Even though neonatologists are not surgeons, their expertise is what makes surgery possible in the first place. Without stable heart rate, oxygenation, or thermoregulation, surgery in newborns can be life-threatening.

They bridge the gap between medicine and surgery, making sure the baby’s delicate systems can handle both.

In other words — pediatric surgeons perform the operation, but neonatologists make the operation possible.

Neonatal Care at Sai Hospital, Haldwani

Sai Hospital’s Neonatology Department provides specialized care for premature and high-risk newborns. Our NICU is designed to offer advanced support, including ventilator assistance, phototherapy, and 24×7 neonatal monitoring.

The hospital’s neonatologists are trained to work seamlessly with pediatric surgeons and other specialists to ensure every newborn receives complete medical and emotional care. Parents are also guided throughout the process, helping them feel informed and supported during what can be a stressful time.

Conclusion

To answer the question — do neonatologists perform surgery?
No, they do not perform surgical procedures themselves. Instead, they manage the newborn’s health before, during, and after surgery. Pediatric surgeons perform the actual operation, while neonatologists ensure that the baby’s body is ready to handle it safely.

At Sai Hospital, Haldwani, this partnership between neonatologists and pediatric surgeons ensures that even the most delicate newborns receive the best possible care — from stabilization to full recovery.

FAQs on Neonatologists and Surgery

1. Do neonatologists operate on newborns?
No, neonatologists are medical specialists who manage newborn health but do not perform surgeries.

2. Who performs surgery on newborns?
Pediatric surgeons perform surgeries on infants and children, while neonatologists provide medical support.

3. Are neonatologists present during surgery?
They are often part of the surgical team, ensuring that the baby remains medically stable throughout.

4. What happens if a newborn needs surgery after birth?
The neonatologist first stabilizes the baby and then coordinates with a pediatric surgeon to plan safe treatment.

5. Does Sai Hospital have both neonatology and pediatric surgery care?
Yes, Sai Hospital, Haldwani, provides comprehensive neonatal and pediatric surgical care with full NICU support.