Heather E. Cahan, MD

Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Pediatrician

Dr. Heather E. Cahan is a Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Pediatrician in Palo Alto, CA with special training and skill in providing care to critically ill newborn infants. As a Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Pediatrician, Heather E. Cahan, MD performs diagnosis and treatment of critical conditions of newborns. Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine is a specialty of pediatrics that consists of the medical care of newborn infants, especially the ill or premature newborn. This hospital-based specialty is usually practiced in neonatal intensive care units. Significant diseases and conditions treated by Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Pediatricians include prematurity, low birth weight, intrauterine growth restriction, breathing disorders, congenital malformations (birth defects), sepsis, pulmonary hypoplasia or birth asphyxia, neonatal jaundice, neonatal lupus, neonatal diabetes, neonatal hepatitis and neonatal meningitis. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Pediatricians include assisted diagnosis, ventilation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and therapeutic hypothermia.

A pediatrician who is the principal care provider for sick newborn infants. Clinical expertise is used for direct patient care and for consulting with obstetrical colleagues to plan for the care of mothers who have high-risk pregnancies.