neonatal
adj. C1 Advanced US //ˌnioʊˈneɪtəɫ// UK //nˈiːəʊnˌeɪtəl// neona·tal
adj. relating to a baby during the first few weeks after it is born. Doctors use this word to talk about the care and health of very young infants.
adj. relating to the first twenty-eight days of a human infant's life. Often used in medical contexts to specify care or conditions occurring immediately after birth.
The hospital has a specialized neonatal unit.
Advances in neonatal medicine have significantly improved the survival rates for babies born several weeks premature.
The research team monitored neonatal development over the first month to identify early physiological markers that might predict long-term health outcomes in high-risk infants.
From neo- + natal.
Usage
Typically used attributively before a noun, such as 'care', 'unit', or 'nurse'.