Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
Dr. Shadi Malaeb is a Neonatal-Perinatal physician practicing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Malaeb cares for critically ill newborns and premature infants. Neonatal-Perinatal physicians treat conditions such as breathing disorders, birth defects, infections, and any other life-threatening medical problems. They coordinate... more
Neonatal-perinatal medicine is a subspecialty of pediatrics that consists of the medical care of newborn infants and understanding the conditions around birth that affect their health and wellbeing. Neonatology practice is mostly hospital-based in newborn nurseries and in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), and in specialized outpatient clinics dedicated for long term follow up and assessment of infants born with complex medical conditions due to prematurity, low birth weight, intrauterine growth restriction, birth asphyxia, infections, congenital malformations, or other exposures and conditions.
Healthy longevity is a central goal for medicine in general, and for pediatrics in particular. While it is a great blessing to have a healthy baby born at term, well grown, and without increased risks for significant problems later in life, unfortunately, this is not the case for many of the babies we see in neonatal-perinatal medicine. Often, these infants require extensive medical and technological support to survive their initial illness and to lessen the burden of their disease.
Neonatal-perinatal specialists follow the latest updates in the care of sick newborn infants and pursue research that informs our understanding about diseases of the newborn. My special interest is related to newborn brain injury and potential for repair. Our hope is for these babies to escape their initial period unscathed and to have a good chance for recovery in their life after NICU. When that is not possible, we can seek solace in trying sometimes, and in the wisdom of accepting our limitations while ensuring comfort all the time. The goals of care are set with the parents, and in consultation with other specialists as needed, both prenatally and during their NICU stay to ensure the best course of action for each family.
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