Category Chapter 1: The Neonatal Period: What Makes It Unique?

Key milestones in the first month of life are essential markers of a newborn’s growth, adaptation, and development. During this period, babies make significant progress in areas such as physical growth, sensory responses, and neurological reflexes. These milestones not only…

Transition from intrauterine (inside the womb) to extrauterine (outside the womb) life is one of the most remarkable and rapid adaptations a human undergoes. At birth, a baby moves from a protected environment where oxygen, nutrients, and waste removal are managed by the placenta, to independent functioning of critical systems like breathing, circulation, and digestion.

Understanding neonatal physiology provides critical insight into how a newborn’s body adapts to life outside the womb. During the neonatal period, every organ system undergoes significant changes to support independent functioning, from breathing and circulation to feeding and immunity. These…