Neonatologist in Latviawhere to get treatment, how to verify certification, what this doctor does

A neonatologist is a children's doctor specialising in the care and treatment of newborns. They examine the baby immediately after birth, monitor health on the postnatal ward, and treat newborns who need intensive care. At Rīga Maternity Hospital the neonatologist examines the baby on the mother and child ward at least every second day, ordering tests or investigations where needed.

• Preterm babies, including those of very low birth weight
• Breathing difficulty in the first days of life
• Newborn jaundice and metabolic disorders
• Congenital infection and early sepsis
• Feeding difficulty and weight loss
• Early recognition of congenital conditions

After discharge, day-to-day care passes to the family doctor or paediatrician. An outpatient neonatology consultation is relevant when a baby who has been in intensive care continues follow-up with the hospital clinic's specialists.

Neonatology in Latvia has no separate sub-specialties. What differs in practice is the hospital's capability rather than the doctor's qualification: some maternity units provide newborn care only, while specialised newborn intensive care is available at a limited number of institutions.

• Six years of medical study and a doctor's degree, at RSU or the University of Latvia.
• Residency in neonatology. The RSU programme runs 3 years, 132 ECTS, tuition 5,800 EUR per year, directed by Amanda Smildzere. Programme page: RSU residency programme.
• Entry requires a copy of a valid paediatrician certificate, or university confirmation of third-year residency in the base specialty "Pediatrs". For doctors without the paediatrics specialty the programme runs six years.
• The state examination covers theory and practical skills plus defence of a research project.
• The certificate is valid for 5 years. Recertification requires 250 continuing education points, at least 60 per cent tied to the base specialty, plus a 48.38 EUR fee.
• Entry in the practitioners register must be renewed every 5 years.

• A neonatologist is not usually chosen separately. In practice the choice is the choice of maternity provider, since the baby is cared for by that unit's doctors.
• Languages. Care is provided in Latvian, and in most institutions in Russian too. Check English in advance.
• Institutional capability. In a high-risk pregnancy or expected preterm birth, whether the institution has a newborn intensive care unit matters.
• Parent involvement. Ask whether the unit practises kangaroo care and whether the mother can stay with the baby.
• Second opinion. Parents may freely choose the institution and ask another specialist for an assessment, including after discharge.

• The first examination happens in the delivery room straight after birth: the midwife measures and weighs the baby, and the neonatologist examines the newborn.
• On the postnatal ward the neonatologist examines the baby regularly, assesses breastfeeding, and orders tests or investigations where needed.
• If health problems arise the neonatologist is called immediately, and any of the institution's clinical staff can provide first aid.
• For outpatient follow-up after discharge, bring the hospital discharge summary and the newborn screening and blood test results.
• At home, if you have doubts about the baby outside practice hours, call the family doctor advice line on 66016001. In a life-threatening situation call 113.

Newborn care takes place in hospital and is funded from the state budget. Children under 18 are among the groups exempt from patient co-payments, so a family pays nothing for a newborn's treatment or for the neonatologist's examinations. There is effectively no private market for neonatology in Latvia: private price lists do not itemise the specialty, and follow-up after intensive care runs through the hospital clinic.

• Patient co-payment for a child under 18Price EUR: 0.00Source: NVD
• Inpatient treatment of a newbornPrice EUR: 0.00Source: NVD, exemption for children under 18
• Outpatient follow-up after dischargePrice EUR: state-funded at the clinicSource: BKUS Neonatology Clinic

The specialty body is the association "Latvijas Neonatologu biedrība" (Latvian Neonatology Society), registration number 40008103557, registered address Miera iela 45, Rīga, LV-1013, email info@neonatologi.lv, neonatologi.lv. The society brings together neonatologists, holds member meetings, and publishes guidelines and recommendations. Chair of the board: Kristīne Rasnača.

The parent body is the Latvian Medical Association, founded in 1988, whose Certification Council issues certificates. The sector regulator is the Health Inspectorate.

If you have doubts about the care a newborn received, raise them first with the institution's management, which must operate a complaints and suggestions system. If that does not resolve it, the child's legal representative may submit a written complaint to the Health Inspectorate no later than two years after the alleged infringement. It is reviewed within 30 days, extendable to four months in complex cases. The procedure is set out on the Health Inspectorate site.