neonato

Neonato, commonly translated as neonate, refers to a newborn human within the first 28 days after birth. In medical usage, the term designates the neonatal period, a time characterized by rapid physiological adjustment to extrauterine life and by the need for specialized clinical care, particularly for preterm or ill infants. The term is widely used in Italian; in English texts the equivalent is neonate.

During the transition from intrauterine to extrauterine life, the neonate undergoes cardiopulmonary adaptation: clearance of lung fluid, start of effective breathing, stabilization of heart rate, and the closure of fetal circulatory shunts. Thermal regulation is also a critical challenge; maintaining body temperature requires drying, skin-to-skin contact, and appropriate environmental warmth.

Initial evaluation commonly includes the Apgar score at 1 and 5 minutes, followed by routine measurements of weight, length, head circumference, and vital signs. Newborns frequently undergo screening tests such as metabolic or genetic screens and hearing assessment, often within days of birth. Prophylaxis, including vitamin K administration, and timely initiation of breastfeeding are standard components of care. Many health systems also perform newborn metabolic screening and, where available, congenital hearing screening.

Common conditions in the neonatal period include physiological jaundice due to immature bilirubin processing, respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants, hypoglycemia, hypothermia, infections, and birth injuries. Most term neonates are healthy, but ill or preterm infants may require observation and, if needed, care in a neonatal intensive care unit with respiratory and nutritional support and infection control.

Neonatal care is a global health priority because the first month of life is a critical period for survival and development. The term neonato is used across Romance languages, with the English equivalent neonate, reflecting a shared focus on this early life stage.