Rajeev Mehta, MD, FRCP

During my training in Neonatal Medicine, I developed an interest in neonatal immunology, and my research focused on the function of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. These studies were published in Pediatric Research and various other journals. Since then, I have been involved in studies related to innate immunity, magnesium, neonatal jaundice, placenta, breast milk, breastfeeding, race/ethnicity, nutrition, tissue oxygenation, vitamin D, and brain injury, as well as outcomes. My research is applied and relates to the major clinical complications faced by neonates during both their birth hospitalization and normal development. I have published more than 90 scholarly papers (original research, invited reviews, case reports, and editorials) that are used regionally, nationally, and internationally, and have presented at the Society for Pediatric Research/Pediatric Academic Society and the Eastern Pediatric Society meetings

1. Petrova A, Eccles S, Mehta R. Role of the Proportional Intake of Fortified Mother's Own Milk in the Weight Gain Pattern of Their Very-Preterm-Born Infants. Nutrients. 2020 May 28;12(6):1571. doi: 10.3390/nu12061571. 

2. Mehta R, Petrova A. Direct antiglobulin test in the prediction of hyperbilirubinemia and predischarge bilirubin levels in infants with mother-infant blood type incompatibility. Pediatr Neonatol 2021; 62:406-411. doi: 10.1016/j.pedneo.2021.04.002. 

3. Mehta R, Petrova A. Urinary levels of energy metabolism hormones in association with the proportional intake of maternal milk and weight gain in very preterm neonates. J Neonatal Perinatal Med. 2022;15(3):599-607. doi: 10.3233/NPM-210936. 

4. Mehta R, Purohit A, Petrova A. Extreme prematurity-associated alterations of pulmonary inflammatory mediators before and after surfactant administration. Pediatr Neonatol. 2023;64(2):160-167. doi: 10.1016/j.pedneo.2022.03.022. 

5. Petrova A, Mehta R. Influence of birth-related maternal and neonatal factors on the levels of energy metabolism mediators in infants born at 32 or fewer weeks of gestation. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2023 Dec;36(2):2290919. doi: 10.1080/14767058.2023.2290919. 

6. Lingasubramanian G, Hum CE, Hunter K, Mehta R, Bhandari V. Timing and risk factors associated with acute kidney injury in infants with necrotizing enterocolitis. J Perinatol. 2024;44, 1774-1779 doi: 10.1038/s41372-024-02003-4 PMID: 38778205.

7. Petrova A, Chefitz E, Mehta R. Nutritional Practice-Related Alteration of Mesenteric Tissue Oxygenation in Fully Enteral-Fed Very and Extremely Preterm Neonates. Glob J of Ped & Neonatol Car. 4(5): 2024. GJPNC.MS.ID.000600. doi: 10.33552/GJPNC.2024.04.000600

8. Petrova A, Mehta R. Pattern of Independent Factors Influencing Preterm Infants' Chance of Survival to Discharge Without Any Significant Morbidities. Cureus. 2025 Oct 23;17(10):e95264. doi: 10.7759/cureus.95264. 

Ongoing projects:

• Energy metabolism mediators, type of feeding and growth in preterm born infants
• Cerebral and renal tissue oxygenation during pre-discharge car seat testing in preterm-born infants

Future projects:

• Tissue oxygenation studies - near Infra-Red Spectroscopy

Undergraduate and Professional 
Delhi University (New Delhi, India) 
Degree: Pre-Medical 
Date awarded: 06/1972

Graduate and Professional
University College of Medical Sciences
Delhi University, New Delhi (India)
Medical Degree: MBBS
Date awarded: 06/1979

POSTGRADUATE TRAINING:

Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India - Pediatric & Surgical Rotation
01/1979 - 12/1979 

All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi - Postgraduate studies
01/1980 - 12/1980 

Queen’s Park, St. Mary’s & Dudley Road Hospital (UK) - Pediatric Resident
01/1981 - 06/1983

Rotherham District General Hospital, England - Pediatric Chief Resident
07/1983 - 06/1985

Rotherham, Yorkshire (England) - Courses in Computers and Photography
07/1985 - 06/1986 

Liverpool University School of Tropical Medicine (UK) – Postgraduate
7/1986 - 06/1987 

Bradford Royal Infirmary, England - Neonatal-Pediatric Fellowship
07/1987 - 06/1989 

Stony Brook University Hospital (New York) - Pediatric Senior Resident
07/1989 - 06/1990

North Shore University Hospital (NY) - Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellow
07/1990 - 06/1993 

Fellowship conferred by the Royal College of Physicians (UK)         1998

            Baron’s International “Who’s Who”                                                     1998-1999

Marquis “Guide to America’s Top Pediatricians”/ “Who’s Who”         1999-2001

Fellowship conferred by the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland   2004

Paul Harris Fellowship awarded by Rotary International                     2005 & 2013  

 Certificate of Appreciation - Gift of Life Foundation                             2006          

Humanitarian Award - Rotary Club of Plainsboro (NJ)                        2008

Pediatric Research Day RWJMS - Presenter                                       2011   

Castle Connolly Top Doctors: New York Metro Area                          2001 - Present 

Inside Jersey “Top Doctors for Kids”                                                   2008 - Present

US News and World Report - Five Stars                                            2014 - Present

            Top Neonatologist New York Area                                             2021

            Top Doctor Inside Jersey Magazine                                                    2022