Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (pronounced: nee-oh-nay-tal in-tens-iv care yoo-nit), often abbreviated as NICU, is a specialized department of a hospital that provides intensive care for newborn infants who are ill or premature.
Etymology
The term "Neonatal" comes from the Greek words 'neos' meaning new, and 'natal' meaning birth. "Intensive Care Unit" is a term used in medicine to describe a department that provides intensive treatment medicine.
Related Terms
- Premature birth: A birth that takes place more than three weeks before the baby's estimated due date.
- Neonatology: A subspecialty of pediatrics that consists of the medical care of newborn infants.
- Pediatrics: The branch of medicine dealing with the health and medical care of infants, children, and adolescents from birth up to the age of 18.
- Intensive Care: Specialized treatment and care for people who are seriously ill.
- Newborn: A baby from birth to about 2 months of age.
Description
A Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is a specialized unit designed with advanced technology and trained healthcare professionals to provide intensive medical attention to 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.
Types of Care
In the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, newborns receive different types of care:
- Respiratory support: For babies who have difficulty breathing.
- Intravenous therapy: To deliver fluids, blood, or medications directly into a baby's bloodstream.
- Feeding support: For babies who have trouble feeding due to prematurity or health problems.
- Surgery: For conditions requiring surgical intervention.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
- Wikipedia's article - Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
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