Perinatology – the link between Obstetrics and Neonatology

Abstract

Starting from the end of the XIXth century, a decrease in infant mortality was observed worldwide. Care of preterm infants became the domain of dedicated units inside hospitals and technology became more complex. Neonatal Intensive Care Units were created throughout the world, increasing infant survival chances regardless of age and pathology. Alongside Neonatology, better means of investigating the pregnancies were discovered. Ultrasound use during pregnancy improved the chances of identifying complex genetic syndromes, some incompatible with survival after birth. It is considered that Stéphane Tarnier (1828–1897) is the architect of Perinatology, many of his inventions had a major role in the evolution of Obstetrics and Neonatology (the Tarnier forceps, the basiotribe, intrauterine balloon for inducing the labor, gavage feeding of the preemies). But only in 1967 the term “perinatology” was mentioned for the first time in a German paper. Professor Emeritus Erich Saling is the father or perinatology. He introduced the evaluation of gas exchange for the fetus during labor and the examination of amniotic fluid during the last weeks of pregnancy. Today, Perinatology is a widely used concept, but the road to creating this concept was long and needed the work of many prominent doctors.