Finding out that your newborn baby needs surgery can be frightening, especially when the condition is diagnosed during pregnancy or shortly after birth. At King’s College Hospital London in Dubai, our neonatal surgeons care for babies with congenital abnormalities, intestinal conditions, and other medical problems that require an operation during the first weeks of life.
Our team includes UK-trained pediatric and neonatal surgeons who have experience operating on premature babies and newborns with complex medical needs. Working alongside neonatologists, pediatric anesthesiologists, and our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), we provide specialist surgical care for babies who may need additional support before and after their procedure.
What Is Neonatal Surgery?
Neonatal surgery involves operations performed on newborn babies, usually during the first 28 days after birth. Some babies are born with conditions that prevent their organs from working normally, while others develop problems that need urgent treatment.
Operating on a newborn requires specialist training. A baby’s organs are still developing, and premature babies may have additional medical needs that affect how surgery is planned and performed.
At King’s College Hospital Dubai, our neonatal surgeons assess each baby’s condition and work with the NICU team to determine the safest approach to treatment.
When Might a Newborn Need Surgery?
Some surgical conditions are detected during routine pregnancy scans, giving parents and doctors time to prepare for treatment after delivery. Others are only discovered once the baby is born.
A newborn may need surgical assessment for:
- Intestinal obstruction: A blockage that prevents milk and digestive contents from passing normally through the bowel.
- Congenital gastrointestinal abnormalities: Problems affecting the development of the stomach, intestines, or other digestive organs.
- Abdominal wall defects: Conditions in which part of the intestine or other abdominal organs develops outside the abdominal cavity.
- Hirschsprung disease: A condition affecting the nerves in the bowel, making it difficult for a baby to pass stool.
- Anorectal malformations: Conditions in which the anus or rectum has not developed normally.
- Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC): A serious intestinal condition that mainly affects premature babies and may require surgery.
- Congenital hernias: Certain hernias that require treatment shortly after birth.
Not every condition requires immediate surgery. Some babies need further investigations or medical treatment first, while others may require an urgent operation.
What Types of Neonatal Surgery Are Available?
Our neonatal surgeons perform procedures for conditions affecting the digestive system, abdominal wall, and other organs.
Neonatal Intestinal Surgery
Babies may need intestinal surgery if they are born with a blocked, narrowed, or abnormally developed bowel. Surgery may involve removing an obstruction, repairing the intestine, or reconnecting sections of bowel.
Our surgeons also treat complex intestinal conditions, including those that may result in short bowel syndrome.
Surgery for Congenital Abnormalities
Some babies are born with structural abnormalities that affect how their organs function. These may involve the digestive tract, abdominal wall, or other parts of the body.
The timing and type of surgery depend on the condition and the baby’s overall health.
Neonatal Colorectal Surgery
Conditions such as Hirschsprung disease and anorectal malformations can affect a newborn’s ability to pass stool normally.
Our pediatric surgeons assess these conditions and plan treatment, which may involve reconstructive surgery or procedures to restore bowel function.
Surgery for Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Necrotizing enterocolitis is a serious intestinal disease seen mainly in premature babies. It causes inflammation and damage to the bowel.
Many babies with necrotizing enterocolitis improve with antibiotics, intravenous fluids, and a temporary break from feeding. If the bowel is badly damaged or develops a hole (perforation), surgery may be needed to remove the affected section.
If your baby needs surgery, the surgeon will talk you through what needs to be done. Your baby will remain in the NICU afterward, where the team will watch for signs that the bowel is healing and decide when milk feeds can safely restart. Recovery can take time, particularly for premature babies, and your doctors will discuss your baby’s progress with you as their condition changes.
Can Neonatal Surgery Be Performed Using Minimally Invasive Techniques?
Yes. Some operations in newborns can be performed using minimally invasive, or keyhole, techniques.
These procedures use small incisions and specialized surgical instruments. Depending on the condition, they may reduce surgical trauma and postoperative discomfort.
Keyhole surgery is not always the safest option, especially for very small or premature babies. If your baby needs an open operation, the surgeon will explain why and what the procedure involves. The decision depends on your baby’s condition, how well they are doing before surgery, and what needs to be treated.
How Does the NICU Support Babies Who Need Surgery?
Babies who need surgery may also require help with breathing, feeding, temperature regulation, or other essential functions.
At King’s College Hospital Dubai, our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) provides specialist care for premature and critically ill newborns, including babies who need close monitoring before and after surgery.
After surgery, your baby may need to remain in the NICU while they recover. The neonatal team will monitor their breathing, temperature, and other vital signs, manage any pain, and check how well they are responding to treatment. Babies who have undergone intestinal surgery may need intravenous nutrition until they are ready to start milk feeds.
Your baby’s surgeon and NICU doctors will review their progress and explain when feeding can begin, whether further treatment is needed, and what needs to happen before your baby can go home. Parents will receive regular updates and have opportunities to ask questions about their baby’s recovery.
What Happens Before and After Neonatal Surgery?
If your baby needs an operation, the surgical team will explain the diagnosis, why surgery is recommended, and what the procedure involves.
Before surgery, your baby may need blood tests, imaging, and treatment to stabilize their condition. An anesthesiologist will also assess their needs.
After the operation, some babies return to the NICU for continued monitoring and treatment. Feeding may need to be introduced gradually, particularly after intestinal surgery.
Recovery varies considerably. Some babies improve quickly, while premature infants and those with complex conditions may need a longer hospital stay.
Your baby’s doctors will keep you informed about their progress and discuss the next steps in their care.
Do You Accept Neonatal Surgery Referrals and Second Opinions?
Yes. King’s College Hospital Dubai accepts referrals for newborns with congenital abnormalities and other conditions that may require neonatal surgery.
Referrals may come from obstetricians, maternal-fetal medicine specialists, neonatologists, pediatricians, or other hospitals.
Our team can review prenatal imaging, medical reports, and investigations to help determine the appropriate treatment. Parents may also request a second opinion when a surgical condition is identified during pregnancy or after birth.
For babies with complex medical needs, treatment planning involves close communication between the referring doctor, neonatal surgeon, and NICU team.
Who Are the Best Neonatal Surgeons in Dubai?
The best neonatal surgeons in Dubai are Dr. Basem A Khalil, Dr. Muhammad Eyad Ba’Ath, and Dr. Ayman Al Jundi. Dr. Basem A Khalil.
Dr. Basem A Khalil is a UK-trained Consultant Pediatric and Neonatal Surgeon who previously served as Head of Pediatric Surgery at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and Director of Neonatal Surgery at Sidra Medicine in Qatar.
His specialist interests include neonatal intestinal surgery, complex bowel conditions, short bowel syndrome, and pediatric colorectal surgery. He has extensive experience managing babies who need complex operations and ongoing intestinal rehabilitation.
Dr. Muhammad Eyad Ba’Ath is a UK-trained pediatric surgeon with experience in neonatal surgery, congenital abnormalities, and minimally invasive pediatric procedures.
His practice includes operating on newborns with surgical conditions affecting the abdomen and other organs, with particular experience in laparoscopic techniques.
Dr. Ayman Al Jundi has more than 40 years of experience in pediatric surgery and completed specialist training at Bristol Royal Hospital for Sick Children in the UK.
His clinical experience includes neonatal surgery, congenital gastrointestinal abnormalities, and pediatric urological conditions.
Why Choose King’s College Hospital Dubai for Neonatal Surgery?
When a newborn needs surgery, the experience of the surgical team and the availability of specialist neonatal care are especially important. King’s College Hospital Dubai gives families access to:
- Experienced neonatal surgeons: Our UK-trained surgeons have operated on newborns with complex conditions, including premature babies who need surgery in the first days of life.
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU): Babies who need help with breathing, feeding, or recovering after surgery can receive specialist care in our NICU.
- Specialist intestinal surgery: Our surgeons treat bowel obstructions, abnormalities present at birth, and short bowel syndrome, including cases that require more than one operation.
- Care from different specialists: Neonatologists, pediatric surgeons, and anesthesiologists work together to manage your baby’s condition before and after surgery.
- Keyhole surgery: Some operations can be performed through small incisions, although this depends on your baby’s condition and the type of procedure needed.
- British clinical expertise: Our neonatal surgical services draw on the experience and clinical practices of King’s College Hospital London.
We understand that having a baby in hospital is difficult, particularly when surgery is involved. Our team takes time to explain the treatment plan, discuss your baby’s progress, and answer questions as they arise.
How Can I Book an Appointment?
To arrange a neonatal surgery consultation at King’s College Hospital Dubai, call +971 800 7777 or use the KingsHub App.
If your newborn is acutely unwell, seek emergency medical attention rather than waiting for a scheduled consultation.
Faqs
الأسئلة الأكثر شيوعا
King’s College Hospital Dubai is the best hospital for neonatal surgery in Dubai for babies with congenital abnormalities, intestinal conditions, and other surgical problems. Our services are supported by UK-trained pediatric surgeons, neonatal intensive care facilities, and multidisciplinary medical teams.
The best doctors for neonatal surgery in Dubai are Dr. Basem A Khalil, Dr. Muhammad Eyad Ba’Ath, and Dr. Ayman Al Jundi. Each is UK-trained with extensive experience in neonatal surgery.
Yes. Premature babies can undergo surgery when it is necessary, including for conditions such as bowel obstruction or necrotizing enterocolitis. Because premature babies are more vulnerable to complications, the surgeon and NICU team will first assess whether your baby is stable enough for the operation. Some babies need help with breathing or other medical support before and after surgery.
Yes. Some congenital abnormalities can be detected during routine pregnancy ultrasound scans or specialist fetal imaging. Early diagnosis may allow doctors to plan delivery, neonatal assessment, and any treatment needed after birth.
Some babies are ready to go home within a few days of surgery, while others need more time in the NICU. Premature babies and those who have had intestinal surgery may need to stay longer, particularly if they are still receiving help with breathing or feeding. Your baby’s doctors will explain what they need to see before discharge and keep you informed as recovery progresses.
Many babies can gradually return to feeding after intestinal surgery, although some need intravenous nutrition or tube feeding while the bowel recovers. The neonatal and surgical teams will monitor feeding tolerance and advise when milk feeds can begin or increase.
Yes. Parents can request a neonatal surgery second opinion at King’s College Hospital Dubai. Our surgeons can review prenatal scans, medical reports, and previous investigations to help explain the diagnosis and available treatment options.
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