Pediatrician is a person who has a Doctor of Medicine (MD) Pediatrics degree. He deals with the medical care of infants, children and also adolescents. One can pursue this degree after completing Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of surgery (MBBS) degree.

Neonatologist is a person with specialization in Neonatology. This course is a sub specialty of Pediatrics which deals with the medical care given to ill or premature infants. It is a hospital based specialty which is practiced in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). One can become a Neonatologist by doing a specialization in Neonatology after completing 3 years residency in Pediatrics and also 3 years additional training in newborn intensive care.

Pediatrician and Opportunities

Responsibilities of a Pediatrician include the following.

• Examining newborns for overall health and complications
• Performing circumcision
• Administering immunizations
• Prescribing medications when necessary to treat illnesses
• Responding to questions from concerned parents
• Educating new parents about child care

Pediatrician has a great scope ahead. He can pursue his higher study in various specializations or else he can do various certification courses which improves his career scope. He can get placed in various hospitals in the public sector as well as private sector. He can also do self employment in a clinic or else at home. He is well paid also. He has a great career abroad as well.

Neonatologist and Opportunities

Responsibilities of a Neonatologist include the following.

• Diagnose Newborns
• Treat Newborns with Special Health Conditions
• Manage Care for Newborns
• Provide Care During or After a High-Risk Birth
• Provide Consultation
• Provide Follow-Up Care

Neonatologist is assured a very good future. He can proceed with various certification courses which make an added advantage to his career scope or else he can directly get placed in various hospitals in the public and private sectors. He has a good future abroad also.

Key difference between Pediatrician and Neonatologist

A Pediatrician is a person who has an MD Pediatrics degree and deals with the child care where as a Neonatologist is a person with a certification in Neonatology which is a subspecialty of Pediatrics and deals with the medical care given to ill or premature infants. A  Neonatologist can practice only in hospitals where as a Pediatrician can practice at his home or private clinics also. A Neonatologist is paid more compared to a Pediatrician.