This is a registered nurse with extra training in the care of newborn babies. He or she may do or assist in procedures and help direct your child's care. This is a doctor who is getting extra training in the care of children. He or she may do procedures and direct your child's care. This is a pediatrician getting extra training in the care of sick and premature babies. The neonatologist (often called the attending physician) supervises pediatric fellows and residents, nurse practitioners, and nurses who care for babies in the NICU. This is a pediatrician with extra training in the care of sick and premature babies. Some of the specially-trained healthcare providers who may care for your baby include: Need for special treatment or procedures such as a blood transfusion Need for extra oxygen or monitoring, IV (intravenous) therapy, or medicines Infection such as herpes, group B streptococcus, chlamydia Respiratory distress including rapid breathing, grunting, or stopping breathing (apnea) Medicine or resuscitation in the delivery room Umbilical cord wrapped around the baby's neck (nuchal cord)īaby born at gestational age of less than 37 weeks or more than 42 weeksīirth weight less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces (2,500 grams) or over 8 pounds, 13 ounces (4,000 grams) The baby's first stool (meconium) passed during pregnancy into the amniotic fluid Premature rupture of membranes (also called the amniotic sac or bag of waters)Ĭhanges in a baby’s organ systems due to lack of oxygen (fetal distress or birth asphyxia)īuttocks delivered first (breech birth) or other abnormal position Multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets, or more) High-risk factors include the below.īeing younger than age 16 or older than age 40 But each baby must be assessed to see if he or she needs the NICU. Babies with health conditions such as breathing trouble, heart problems, infections, or birth defects are also cared for in the NICU.īelow are some factors that can place a baby at high risk and increase the chances of being admitted to the NICU. This is because they tend to be born earlier and smaller than single birth babies. Twins, triplets, and other multiples often are admitted to the NICU. Many of these babies also have low birth weights. In the U.S., nearly half a million babies are born preterm. 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. You will also find out about some of the procedures that may be needed for the care of your baby. This information is to help you understand why a baby may need to be in the NICU. Giving birth to a sick or premature baby can be unexpected for any parent. Some newborn babies will require care in a NICU. 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. NICUs may also care areas for babies who are not as sick but do need specialized nursing care. The NICU has advanced technology and trained healthcare professionals to give special care for the tiniest patients. Newborn babies who need intensive medical care are often put in a special area of the hospital called the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). What is the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)? But a lot of special care is available to help newborn babies. Preterm birth, a difficult birth, or birth defects can make these changes more challenging. In some cases, a baby has trouble making the transition outside the womb. Your baby's body systems must work together in a new way. The liver and immune systems must begin working on their own. The kidneys must begin working to balance fluids and chemicals in the body and excrete waste. The digestive system must begin to process food and excrete waste. The cardiac and pulmonary circulation changes. When a baby leaves the womb, its body systems must change. These include breathing, eating, elimination of waste, and immune protection. Baby in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)īefore birth, the baby depends on functions from the mother.
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