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 impact has been profound: one hospital where the software was deployed saw an 82% reduction in their stillbirth and neonatal death rate. —Jennifer Lotito, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025

The medical claims from their time in neonatal intensive care alone totaled around $1 million. —Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2025

My in-laws drove out of their way everyday to come see my son in the NICU [neonatal intensive care unit]. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025

As research continues to evolve, integrating these technologies into routine prenatal and neonatal care promises to redefine pediatric healthcare, offering hope for conditions once deemed untreatable. —William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin neonatus neonate + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for neonatal

• hiatal
• nonfatal
• postnatal
• prenatal
• antenatal
• 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