Advancing Neurologic Care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit With a Neonatal Neurologist

Abstract

Neonatal neurology is a growing subspecialty area. Given the considerable amount of neurologic problems present in the neonatal intensive care unit, a neurologist with expertise in neonates is becoming more important. We sought to evaluate the change in neurologic care in the neonatal intensive care unit at our tertiary care hospital by having a dedicated neonatal neurologist. The period post–neonatal neurologist showed a greater number of neurology consultations (P<.001), number of neurology encounters per patient (P<.001), a wider variety of diagnoses seen, and an increase in the use of video electroencephalography (P=.022), compared to the period pre–neonatal neurologist. The neonatologists expressed appreciation for having a dedicated neurologist available. Standardized protocols for treating hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and neonatal seizures were also developed. Overall, by having a neonatal neurologist, neurology became part of the multidisciplinary team providing focused neurologic care to newborns.