Expand Section. A neonate is also called a newborn. The neonatal period is the first 4 weeks of a child's life.

What does the medical term neonatal mean?

Neonatal: Pertaining to the newborn period, specifically the first 4 weeks after birth.

What is the root word for neonatal?

Where does neonatal come from? The first records of neonatal come from around 1900. It's formed from the prefix neo-, meaning “new,” and natal, which means “relating to birth.”