Helen G. Liley is a neonatologist based in South Brisbane, QLD, working out of Raymond Terrace, QLD 4101. She looks after newborn babies who need extra care soon after birth, especially when things are not going as planned.
In the neonatal unit, Helen’s day-to-day work often centres on premature babies and babies who are struggling to breathe. Some newborns have respiratory distress syndrome, and others can go on to need support for lung problems like bronchopulmonary dysplasia. At times, babies also need help when their body temperature is too low, or when their blood sugar drops.
Jaundice is another big part of neonatal care. Helen supports families and clinical teams when babies have newborn jaundice, including cases linked to blood group issues such as haemolytic disease of the newborn. She also cares for newborns with conditions like transient familial hyperbilirubinaemia, where bilirubin levels rise and need close monitoring.
She also works with babies facing illness after birth, including neonatal sepsis. These are serious cases where early recognition and steady treatment make a difference. Some babies may also have metabolic issues like metabolic acidosis, and there are times when anaemia or polycythaemia needs careful management.
Brain bleeding can happen in some very small or sick babies. Helen looks after newborns at risk of intraventricular haemorrhage, and she teams up with the broader hospital staff to watch progress and support safe care. In other urgent situations, such as asphyxia neonatorum, babies may need rapid stabilisation and ongoing monitoring.
There are also rare, high-stakes emergencies, including infant cardiac arrest. In those moments, the focus is on immediate actions, stabilising the baby, and then following through with the next steps as the baby settles.
Helen’s role is hands-on and calm under pressure. Neonatal care is full of small changes over hours and days, so good communication matters. Over time, she helps families understand what’s happening and what the team is doing next, with clear updates and practical support while babies receive treatment.
