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The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
The fundamental support system in critical care, the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at SKHC provides efficient, dedicated, high-quality evidence-based care to critically ill patients through a collaborative multi-disciplinary approach. The ICUs, are equipped with state-of-the-art clinical support and manned by highly trained doctors, and ancillary staff, that are capable of handling patients with a wide range of chronic medical complications. The unit is fully equipped with facilities for bedside and central monitoring of ECG, blood oxygen, blood pressure, venous pressure, etc
- Latest ventilators and monitors to provide comprehensive care for premature and high-risk babies. Hence ventilators and a nitric oxide delivery system which is the most advanced treatment for severe respiratory failure and pulmonary hypertension.
- Cooling therapy for newborn babies that suffer from a decrease in oxygen supply during birth.
- Complete intravenous nutrition for newborn babies.
What is the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)?
Newborn babies who need intensive medical care are often put in a special area of the hospital called the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The NICU has advanced technology and trained healthcare professionals to give special care for the tiniest patients. NICUs may also care areas for babies who are not as sick but do need specialized nursing care. Some hospitals don’t have the staff for a NICU and babies must be moved to another hospital. Babies who need intensive care do better if they are born in a hospital with a NICU than if they are moved after birth.
Some newborn babies will require care in a NICU. Giving birth to a sick or premature baby can be unexpected for any parent. The NICU can be overwhelming. This information is to help you understand why a baby may need to be in the NICU. You will also find out about some of the procedures that may be needed for the care of your baby.
Which babies need special care?
Most babies admitted to the NICU are preterm (born before 37 weeks of pregnancy), have low birth weight (less than 5.5 pounds), or have a health condition that needs special care. In the U.S., nearly half a million babies are born preterm. Many of these babies also have low birth weights. Twins, triplets, and other multiples often are admitted to the NICU. This is because they tend to be born earlier and smaller than single birth babies. Babies with health conditions such as breathing trouble, heart problems, infections, or birth defects are also cared for in the NICU.
Below are some factors that can place a baby at high risk and increase the chances of being admitted to the NICU. But each baby must be assessed to see if he or she needs the NICU. High-risk factors include the below.
Maternal factors include:
Being younger than age 16 or older than age 40
Drug or alcohol use
Diabetes
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Bleeding
Sexually transmitted diseases
Multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets, or more)
Too little or too much amniotic fluid
Premature rupture of membranes (also called the amniotic sac or bag of waters)
Delivery factors include:
Changes in a baby’s organ systems due to lack of oxygen (fetal distress or birth asphyxia)
Buttocks delivered first (breech birth) or other abnormal position
The baby’s first stool (meconium) passed during pregnancy into the amniotic fluid
Umbilical cord wrapped around the baby’s neck (nuchal cord)
Forceps or cesarean delivery
Baby factors include:
Baby born at gestational age of less than 37 weeks or more than 42 weeks
Birth weight less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces (2,500 grams) or over 8 pounds, 13 ounces (4,000 grams)
Small for gestational age
Medicine or resuscitation in the delivery room
Birth defects
Respiratory distress including rapid breathing, grunting, or stopping breathing (apnea)
Infection such as herpes, group B streptococcus, chlamydia
Seizures
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
Need for extra oxygen or monitoring, IV (intravenous) therapy, or medicines
Need for special treatment or procedures such as a blood transfusion
