DM Neonatology: Admissions, Medical Colleges, Fees, Eligibility Criteria details here

DM Neonatology or Doctorate of Medicine in Neonatology also known as DM in Neonatology is a super specialty level course for doctors in India that is done by them after completion of their postgraduate medical degree course. The duration of this super specialty course is 3 years, and it focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in newborns, particularly premature newborns.

The course is a full-time course pursued at various recognized medical colleges across the country. Some of the top medical colleges offering this course include-Rangaraya Medical College- Kakinada, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research- Chandigarh, Government Medical College- Chandigarh, and more

Admission to this course is done through the NEET SS Entrance exam conducted by the National Board of Examinations, followed by counselling based on the scores of the exam that is conducted by DGHS/MCC/State Authorities.

The fee for pursuing DM (Neonatology) varies from college to college and may range from Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 12,00,000 per year.

After completion of their respective course, doctors can either join the job market or can pursue certificate courses and Fellowship programmes recognized by NMC and NBE. Candidates can take reputed jobs at positions as Senior residents, Consultants etc. with an approximate salary range of Rs. 5,00,000 to Rs. 20,00,000 per year.

What is DM in Neonatology?

Doctorate of Medicine in Neonatology, also known as DM (Neonatology) or DM in (Neonatology) is a three-year super specialty programme that candidates can pursue after completing a postgraduate degree.

Neonatology is the branch of medical science dealing with the study of diagnosis, and treatment of diseases in newborns, particularly premature newborns.

National Medical Commission (NMC), the apex medical regulator, has released guidelines for a Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme for DM in Neonatology.

The Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme governs the education and training of DMs in Neonatology.

The postgraduate students must gain ample of knowledge and experience in the diagnosis, treatment of patients with acute, serious, and life-threatening medical and surgical diseases.

The PG education intends to create specialists who can contribute to high-quality health care and advances in science through research and training.

The required training done by a postgraduate specialist in the field of Neonatology would help the specialist to recognize the health needs of the community. The student should be competent to handle medical problems effectively and should be aware of the recent advances in their speciality.

The candidate is also expected to know the principles of research methodology and modes of the consulting library. The candidate should regularly attend conferences, workshops and CMEs to upgrade her/ his knowledge.

Course Highlights

Here are some of the course highlights of DM in Neonatology

Name of Course	DM in Neonatology
Level	Doctorate
Duration of Course	Three years
Course Mode	Full Time
Minimum Academic Requirement	Postgraduate medical degree obtained from any college/university recognized by the MCI (Now NMC)/NBE
Admission Process / Entrance Process / Entrance Modalities	Entrance Exam (NEET-SS) INI CET for various AIIMS, PGIMER Chandigarh, JIPMER Puducherry, NIMHANS Bengaluru Counselling by DGHS/MCC/State Authorities
Course Fees	Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 12,00,000 per year
Average Salary	Rs. 5,00,000 to Rs. 20,00,000 per year

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for DM in Neonatology are defined as the set of rules or minimum prerequisites that aspirants must meet in order to be eligible for admission, which include:

• Candidates must be in possession of a postgraduate medical Degree (MD/MS/DNB) from any college/university recognized by the Medical Council of India (MCI Now NMC)/NBE.
• The candidate must have obtained permanent registration of any State Medical Council to be eligible for admission.
• The medical college's recognition cut-off dates for the Postgraduate Degree courses shall be as prescribed by the Medical Council of India (now NMC).

Admission Process

• The admission process contains a few steps to be followed in order by the candidates for admission to DM in Neonatology. Candidates can view the complete admission process for DM in Neonatology mentioned below:

• The NEET-SS or National Eligibility Entrance Test for Super specialty courses is a national-level master's level examination conducted by the NBE for admission to DM/MCh/DrNB Courses.

• Qualifying Criteria-Candidates placed at the 50th percentile or above shall be declared as qualified in the NEET-SS in their respective specialty.

• The following Medical institutions are not covered under centralized admissions for DM/MCh courses through NEET-SS:

1. AIIMS, New Delhi and other AIIMS
2. 2.PGIMER, Chandigarh
3. 3.JIPMER, Puducherry
4. 4.NIMHANS, Bengaluru

• Candidates from all eligible feeder specialty subjects shall be required to appear in the question paper of respective group, if they are willing to opt for a superspecialty course in any of the super specialty courses covered in that group.

• A candidate can opt for appearing in the question papers of as many groups for which his/her Postgraduate specialty qualification is an eligible feeder qualification.

• By appearing in the question paper of a group and on qualifying the examination, a candidate shall be eligible to exercise his/her choices in the counseling only for those superspecialty subjects covered in said group for which his/ her broad specialty is an eligible feeder qualification.

Fees Structure

The fee structure for DM in Neonatology varies from college to college. The fee is generally less for Government Institutes and more for private institutes. The average fee structure for DM in Neonatology is around Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 12,00,000 per year.

Colleges offering DM in Neonatology

There are various medical colleges across India that offer courses for pursuing DM in (Neonatology).

As per National Medical Commission (NMC) website, the following medical colleges are offering DM in (Neonatology) courses for the academic year 2022-23.

Sl.No.	Course Name	Name and Address of Medical College / Medical Institution	Annual Intake (Seats)
1	DM - Neonatology	Rangaraya Medical College, Kakinada	1
2	DM - Neonatology	Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh	4
3	DM - Neonatology	Government Medical College, Chandigarh	3
4	DM - Neonatology	All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi	7
5	DM - Neonatology	Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi	4
6	DM - Neonatology	Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi	2
7	DM - Neonatology	Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences and Dr. RML Hospital, New Delhi	4
8	DM - Neonatology	Pramukhswami Medical College, Karmsad	3
9	DM - Neonatology	St. Johns Medical College, Bangalore	3
10	DM - Neonatology	Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Medical College, Kolenchery	2
11	DM - Neonatology	Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram	4
12	DM - Neonatology	Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha	1
13	DM - Neonatology	Government Medical College, Aurangabad	4
14	DM - Neonatology	Bharati Vidyapeeth University Medical College, Pune	5
15	DM - Neonatology	Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College, Sion, Mumbai	3
16	DM - Neonatology	Seth GS Medical College, and KEM Hospital, Mumbai	4
17	DM - Neonatology	All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar	2
18	DM - Neonatology	Instt. Of Medical Sciences & SUM Hospital, Bhubaneswar	2
19	DM - Neonatology	Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research, Puducherry	2
20	DM - Neonatology	All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur	4
21	DM - Neonatology	National Institute of Medical Science & Research, Jaipur	3
22	DM - Neonatology	Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, Sitapur, Jaipur	2
23	DM - Neonatology	Sri Ramachandra Medical College & Research Institute, Chennai	2
24	DM - Neonatology	Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Kanchipuram	2
25	DM - Neonatology	Chengalpattu Medical College, Chengalpattu	4
26	DM - Neonatology	Chettinad Hospital & Research Institute, Kanchipuram	2
27	DM - Neonatology	Madurai Medical College, Madurai	1
28	DM - Neonatology	Christian Medical College, Vellore	4
29	DM - Neonatology	Madras Medical College, Chennai	8
30	DM - Neonatology	Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad	3
31	DM - Neonatology	All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh	10
32	DM - Neonatology	Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow	2
33	DM - Neonatology	Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research, Kolkata	2

Syllabus

A DM in Neonatology is a three years specialization course that provides training in the stream of Neonatology.

The course content for DM in Neonatology is given in the Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme released by National Medical Commission, which can be assessed through the link mentioned below:

Course contents

I. Cognitive domain

A) Basic sciences as applied to neonatology

• Basic genetics
• Fetal and neonatal immunology
• Mechanism of diseases
• Applied anatomy and embryology
• Feto-placental physiology
• Neonatal adaptation
• Thermo-regulation
• Development and maturation of lungs, respiratory control, lung functions, ventilation, gas exchange, ventilation-perfusion.
• Physiology and development of the cardiovascular system, developmental defects, physiology and hemodynamics of congenital heart disease.
• Fetal and intrauterine growth.
• Development and maturation of nervous system, cerebral blood flow, blood-brain barrier, special senses.
• Fetal and neonatal endocrine physiology
• Developmental pharmacology
• Developmental hematology,
• Development of liver functions and bilirubin metabolism
• Renal physiology
• Physiology of gastrointestinal tract, sucking, swallowing, digestion, absorption.
• Fluid and Electrolyte balance
• Metabolic pathways including pathways of glucose, calcium, and magnesium
• Biochemical basis of inborn errors of metabolism

B) General topics

• Research methodology
• Biostatistics
• Ethics in perinatology/neonatology
• Principles of education (objectives, curriculum, assessment, and use of media)
• Computer, information technology, internet, telemedicine, neonatal networking
• Biotechnololgy, and basis of working of common equipment
• Counseling – antenatal, discharge counseling, breaking bad news, lactation counseling, grieve counseling.

C) Perinatology

• Perinatal and neonatal mortality, morbidity, epidemiology
• Perinatal pathology, autopsy, microbiology
• High-risk pregnancy: detection, monitoring, and management
• Fetal monitoring, clinical, electronic; invasive, and non-invasive
• Intrapartum monitoring and procedures
• Assessment of fetal risk and decision for termination of pregnancy
• Diagnosis and management of fetal diseases
• Medical diseases affecting pregnancy and fetus, psychological and ethical considerations
• Optimal timing of delivery in various medical and obstetric conditions
• Fetal interventions
• Fetal origin of adult disease.

D) Neonatal resuscitation

Successful completion of the neonatal resuscitation program (NRP).

E) Essential newborn care

• Breastfeeding, lactation support
• Kangaroo Mother Care
• Prevention of infections
• Counseling
• Danger signs
• Newborn screening

F) Neonatal ventilation

• Mechanical ventilation
• Continuous positive airway pressure, high flow nasal canula
• High-frequency ventilation
• Clinical uses of surfactant and administration
• Inhaled nitric oxide therapy

G) Blood gas and acid-base disorders

H) Neonatal assessment and follow up

• Assessment of gestation, neonatal behavior, neonatal reflexes
• Assessment of vision & hearing, detection of neuromotor delay, stimulation techniques
• Growth monitoring
• Immunization
• Early intervention and goal directed therapies.

I) Care of low birth weight babies

J) Specific body systems

i) Respiratory system

• Neonatal airways: physiology, pathology, management
• Pulmonary diseases: Hyaline membrane disease, transient tachypnea, aspiration pneumonia, pulmonary air leak syndromes, pulmonary hemorrhage, developmental defects
• Oxygen therapy and its monitoring
• Pulmonary infections
• Miscellaneous pulmonary disorders.

ii) Cardiovascular system

• Fetal circulation, the transition from fetal to neonatal physiology
• Examination and interpretation of cardiovascular signs and symptoms
• Special tests and procedures (Echocardiography, angiography)
• Diagnosis and management of congenital heart diseases
• Rhythm disturbances
• Hypertension in neonates
• Shock: pathophysiology, monitoring, management.

iii) Gastrointestinal system

• Disorders of liver and biliary system.
• Bilirubin metabolism
• Neonatal jaundice: diagnosis, monitoring, management, phototherapy, exchange transfusion.
• Kernicterus
• Prolonged hyperbilirubinemia
• Congenital malformations
• Necrotising enterocolitis

iv) Nutrition

• Fetal nutrition
• Physiology of lactation
• Breastfeeding
• Lactation management, breast milk banking, maternal medications and nursing
• Feeding of Low Birth Weight neonate
• Parenteral nutrition
• Vitamins and micronutrients in newborn health

v) Renal system

• Developmental disorders
• Renal functions
• Fluid and electrolyte management
• Acute renal failure (diagnosis, monitoring, management).

vi) Endocrine and metabolism

• Glucose metabolism, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia
• Calcium disorders
• Magnesium disorders
• Thyroid disorders
• Adrenal disorders
• Ambiguous genitalia
• Inborn errors of metabolism

vii)Hematology

• Physiology
• Anemia
• Polycythemia
• Bleeding and coagulation disorders
• Rh hemolytic disease

viii) Neurology

• Clinical neurological assessment
• Neonatal seizures
• Intracranial hemorrhage
• Neurophysiology, EEG, BERA etc.
• Brain imaging
• Neonatal encephalopathy :Hypoxemic ischemic , metabolic etc
• Neuro-muscular disorders
• Degenerative diseases
• CNS malformation

ix) Surgery and orthopedics

• Diagnosis of neonatal surgical conditions
• Pre and post operative care
• Neonatal anesthesia
• Metabolic changes during anesthesia and surgery
• Orthopedic problems

x) Neonatal infections

• Intrauterine infections
• Superficial infections
• Diarrhea
• Septicemia
• Meningitis
• Osteomyelitis and arthritis
• Pneumonia
• Perinatal HIV
• Miscellaneous infective disorders including HBV and Candidemia
• Outbreak and its managment
• Establishing an infection control program, audits, establishing HIC committee

xi) Neonatal Imaging

• X-rays, ultrasound, MRI, CT Scan etc.

xii)Neonatal ophthalmology

• Developmental aspects
• Retinopathy of prematurity
• Sequelae of perinatal infections

xiii) Neonatal ENT disorders

xiv) Neonatal dermatology

K) Transport of neonates

Understanding of safe neonatal support/transport

L) Neonatal procedures

M) Organization of neonatal care

N) Follow up care of the high risk NICU graduate

• Establishing a high risk follow up program
• Identification of early signs of growth and development disorders (Neuromotor / Neurodevelopmental Assessment techniques)

o Amiel Tison, Hammersmith, General movements, DDST, TDST, DASII, BSID

• Early intervention therapy
• Counseling

O) Community neonatology

• Vital statistics, health system;
• Causes of neonatal, perinatal death
• Neonatal care priorities and National programs
• Neonatal care at primary and secondary levels
• Role of low cost interventions
• Role of different health functionaries
• Traditional practices
• IMNCI training,
• Regionalization and neonatal health system organization

P) Other topics of contemporary importance: Neonatal metabolic screening, neonatal palliative care, stress in NICU & management, leadership skills and capacity building.

II. Psychomotor and affective domain

A: The Postgraduate student should be able to perform the following skills

independently:

1. Core skills

2. Developmental assessment and follow up

• Should be competent to perform structured neurological examination of infants and young children in follow-up as well as their developmental assessment using common standard screening tools used in the high-risk follow-up clinic.
• It is desirable for trainees to learn definitive developmental assessment tool. Should be able to organize and coordinate multi-disciplinary care of these infants during follow-up.

3. Infection control, antimicrobial resistance, and antibiotic stewardship

• Should be familiar with and implement evidence-based infection control and biomedical waste management measures.
• Should have an understanding of mechanisms of development of antimicrobial resistance.
• Should have an understanding, practice and implement various components of antibiotic stewardship.

4. Organization of neonatal care and egionalization of neonatal care

5. Adoption procedures and laws

6. Lactation management, kangaroo mother care, and enteral feeding support

7. Education / Training

a. Teaching skills

b. Learning skills

c. Participatory and small group learning skills

d. Preparing learning resource material

8. Effective and safe use of teleconsultations/telemedicine

9. Research methods and activities

Should have knowledge and understanding of and perform the following:

a. Identifying researchable issues and framing research questions

b. Choosing appropriate study design and conducting a study

c. Analyzing and interpreting data

d. Publication and writing a paper

e. Review and presentation of research findings

f. Critically appraising published literature of various study designs

g. Systematic reviews, meta-analysis, and GRADING of evidence

10. Research Activities

The postgraduate student should be able to perform the following under supervision:

• Thesis: The postgraduate students in superspecialty courses are not required mandatorily to submit thesis, but, they may be encouraged to conduct chosen research programs for which research protocol may be submitted within the first six months of the course. Progress on the conduct of the research project will give the student valuable training for the future. This may be reviewed every semester, and feedback given to the student by the guide. The PG student will make at least 3 formal presentations (i) Protocol, (ii) mid-course progress and (iii) final report. It is desirable that at least one research paper based on the above project is published or submitted for publication during the three-year PG training period.
• Quality Improvement Project: A minimum of one quality improvement project must be carried out by the postgraduate student.
• Data analysis: Using the existing database of patient records, the postgraduate student will be expected to perform one complete data analysis based on a predefined approved research question.
• Follow-up of high-risk infants: A minimum of 15 high risk infants must be followed up for one year, and a record of all assessments and their interpretation maintained.
• Publications

The following minimum number of publications will be expected from a DM neonatology postgraduate student by the end of the course:

• Letters to the editor: 1
• Case reports/series: 1
• Original articles: 1
• Presentations: a minimum of 02 research presentations in conferences/ workshops.

11. Data handling skills

The postgraduate student would be expected to have learned the basics of data entry into Excel, transferring data to a statistical software program, and performing basic analysis.

12. Bio-medical equipment

• The postgraduate student should become thoroughly familiar with parts, accessories, setting-up, maintenance, preventing infection, and basic troubleshooting of all the equipment used in neonatology.
• They should have participated in the entire purchase process from planning to the installation of at least one equipment costing above Rs. 100,000.
• The postgraduate student should know about equipment inventory and maintenance details of the equipment.

13. Communication skills

The postgraduate student should be able to demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills that result in effective information exchange and teaming with 'infants' families and professional colleagues. He/she should be able to effectively communicate: with parents, families, and community, with colleagues and other healthcare providers and with health authorities.

14. The postgraduate student should be able to conduct Perinatal Death audits and community-based death surveillance and response.

15. Quality and safety in healthcare

a. The candidate should be well versed with concepts and determinants of quality and safety.

b. Should be able to work in inter-professional teams to optimize patient safety and quality.

c. Should be able to communicate effectively for patient safety.

d. Should be able to anticipate, recognize & manage situations leading to errors & poor quality.

e. Should be well versed with the methods and tools of quality improvement.

f. Should be able to identify medical errors and adverse events, should be able to respond effectively to mitigate harm, ensure disclosure and should be familiar with the methods of analysis and preventing recurrences.

16. Medical Ethics, Laws and Professionalism

The postgraduate student must demonstrate a commitment to carrying out professional responsibilities and adherence to ethical principles. They should be familiar with principles of ethics, evolution of laws over time at national and international levels and current ethical standards of treatment and research at national and international level. They should be familiar with various laws governing medical practice in the country. The postgraduate student will be expected to inculcate and demonstrate:

• Compassion, integrity, and respect for others
• Responsiveness to patient needs that supersedes self-interest
• Respect for patient privacy and autonomy
• Accountability to patients, society and the profession
• Sensitivity and responsiveness to a diverse patient population

17. Essential and desirable workshops during the duration of the course: The student should enrol in the listed workshop as and when they are organized in the unit or outside the unit depending on the clinical responsibility and availability of leave of absence. The idea is to facilitate learning and expand horizon in critical thinking.

Essential and desirable courses and workshops

Essential:

1. Online certification in Research Methodology

Course on SWYAM platform*

2.Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)

3.Lactation Management

4.Neurodevelopmental supportive care

5.Neonatal Ventilation (Basic)

6.POCQI

7.Kangaroo mother care

8.Death certificate ICD 10 **

9.Neonatal Ventilation (Advanced)

10.Functional Echocardiography

11.Cranial ultrasonography

Desirable

1. Neonatal EEG

2. Therapeutic Hypothermia

3. Developmental assessment

(DASII/BSID/Griffiths etc)

*Must undertake online certification in Research Methodology Course on SWYAM platform

**Must undertake online certificate course on death certificate filling by ICMR DHR

Career Options

After completing a DM in Neonatology, candidates will get employment opportunities in Government as well as in the Private sector.

In the Government sector, candidates have various options to choose from which include Registrar, Senior Resident, Demonstrator, Tutor etc.

While in the Private sector the options include Resident Doctor, Consultant, Visiting Consultant (Neonatology), Junior Consultant, Senior Consultant (Neonatology), Neonatology Specialist.

Courses After DM in Neonatology Course

DM in Neonatology is a specialisation course which can be pursued after finishing a Postgraduate medical course. After pursuing specialisation in DM in Neonatology, a candidate could also pursue certificate courses and Fellowship programmes recognised by NMC and NBE, where DM in Neonatology is a feeder qualification.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) –DM in Neonatology Course

Question: What is the full form of DM?

Answer: The full form of DM is Doctorate of Medicine

Question: What is a DM in Neonatology?

Answer: DM Neonatology or Doctorate of Medicine in Neonatology also known as DM in Neonatology is a super specialty level course for doctors in India that is done by them after completion of their postgraduate medical degree course.

Question: What is the duration of a DM in Neonatology?

Answer: DM in Neonatology is a super specialty programme of three years.

Question: What is the eligibility of a DM in Neonatology?

Answer: Candidates must be in possession of a postgraduate medical Degree (MD/MS/DNB) from any college/university recognized by the Medical Council of India (now NMC)/NBE.

Question: What is the scope of a DM in Neonatology?

Answer: DM in Neonatology offers candidates various employment opportunities and career prospects.

Question: What is the average salary for a DM in Neonatology candidate?

Answer: The DM in Neonatology candidate's average salary is between Rs. 5,00,000 to Rs. 20,00,000 per year depending on the experience.

Question: Can you teach after completing DM Course?

Answer: Yes, candidate can teach in a medical college/hospital after completing DM course.

Question: Can a paediatrician be a neonatologist?

Answer: A neonatologist is a medical doctor (MD or DO) who has received special training to care for premature and sick newborns. All neonatologists are also paediatricians and attend medical school and a full paediatric residency. They then complete an additional 3-year neonatal training program, known as fellowship.