Neonatal intensive care unit

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (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 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. Some hospitals do not have the personnel or a NICU and babies must be transferred to another hospital.

History

The first NICU in the United States was developed by Louis Gluck at Yale–New Haven Hospital in 1960. The development of the NICU has allowed healthcare professionals to improve the survival rate of very low birth weight infants.

Levels of care

In the United States, the American Academy of Pediatrics has defined 4 levels of care. The capabilities of hospitals to provide increasing complexity of care to critically ill newborns are represented by the levels of care.

Staff

The NICU is staffed by a team of healthcare professionals who have specialized training in neonatal medicine. The team includes neonatologists, neonatal nurses, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, and dietitians.

Common conditions treated

Common conditions treated at a NICU include prematurity, congenital malformations, intrauterine growth restriction, congenital heart disease, and pulmonary hypoplasia.

See also

• Pediatric intensive care unit
• Neonatology
• Neonatal infection

References

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External links

• American Academy of Pediatrics

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