Perinatology

Perinatology is subsection of obstetrics, with the comparable area of pediatrics called neonatology. It is concerned with the care that has to be provided for the pregnant mother and the fetus which may be at a greater-than-normal threat of developing complications. This covers what is known as the perinatal period which includes the last eight weeks before birth, being from the 20th to the 28th week of gestation, and continued until between one and four weeks after birth. Generally, perinatology is the care of the fetus before birth, with neonatology taking over after birth.

The word perinatology comes from the Greek word peri, which means “about” or “around,” combined with the Latin natus which means “born” and the Greek logos which refers to a study of a particular specialty. This [Page 1354]developed in time to a profession on its own, although there remains the overlap with obstetricians.

There are also a number of journals for the profession including the American Journal of Perinatology published by Thieme-Stratton since 1983; the Journal of Perinatal Medicine, the official journal of the World Association of Perinatal Medicine, published since 1973; the Journal of Perinatology, the official journal of the National Perinatal Association, and published since 1981; and Seminars in Perinatology, published by Grune & Stratton since 1979. There are regular workshops in many countries for people involved in perinatology, and also congresses held around the world.