Neonatal intensive care

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (often abbreviated as NICU), also known as an intensive care nursery (ICN), is an intensive care unit specializing in the care of ill or premature newborn infants.

Overview

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is a department of a hospital that provides intensive care to newborns who are premature, ill, or have other conditions requiring special care. The NICU combines advanced technology and trained healthcare professionals to provide specialized care for the tiniest patients. NICUs may also have intermediate or continuing care areas for babies who are not as sick but do need specialized nursing care.

History

The first Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in the United States was developed by Louis Gluck at Yale–New Haven Hospital in 1960. The development of the NICU has contributed to the improved survival of very low birth weight infants and has helped to decrease infant mortality rates.

Care in the NICU

Newborns are admitted to the NICU for a variety of reasons. They may be delivered prematurely, have difficulty during their delivery, or show signs of a problem in the first few days of life. Newborns who need intensive medical attention are often admitted into a special area of the hospital called the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Staff

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit staff typically includes neonatologists, neonatal nurses, and many other healthcare professionals. The team is dedicated to providing the highest level of care for newborns and their families.

See also

• Neonatology
• Pediatrics
• Premature birth
• Infant mortality

External links

• March of Dimes - NICU
• NICU Parent Network

Neonatal intensive care Resources
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