neonatal

adjective

neo·​na·​tal ˌnē-ō-ˈnā-tᵊl 

: of, relating to, or affecting the newborn and especially the human infant during the first month after birth

neonatal mortality

neonatal intensive care unit

neonatally

ˌnē-ō-ˈnā-tᵊl-ē 

adverb

Examples of neonatal in a Sentence

a neonatal intensive care unit

Recent Examples on the Web

The new hospital, which will include a modernized neonatal intensive care unit, intends to provide integrated care across gynecology, pregnancy, labor and delivery, menopause, and cardiology. — Catriona Marangi, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026

Just before starting medical school, Roberto visited his uncle, a neonatologist who ran the largest neonatal intensive care unit in Guatemala. — Sacbee.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Atiqul Islam, a neonatal and child specialist at Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute, said during the pandemic period in 2021 and 2022, many did not take their children to get vaccinated. — Julhas Alam, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026

Early research also reveals a 50% drop in neonatal mortality. — Mona Hanna, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin neonatus neonate + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for neonatal

• nonfatal
• postnatal
• prenatal
• antenatal
• hiatal
• perinatal
• datal
• fatal

Medical Definition

neonatal

adjective

neo·​na·​tal ˌnē-ō-ˈnāt-ᵊl 

: of, relating to, or affecting the newborn and especially the human infant during the first month after birth

neonatal jaundice

neonatal death

compare prenatal, intranatal, postnatal

neonatally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb