Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, rated No. 5 in the nation by Parents magazine, is capable of caring for infants with the most complex medical problems and those requiring surgery within days or weeks of birth. The depth and breadth of staff specialization is one reason Children's Hospital's NICU stands out.

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is a state-of-the-art, Level III, 41-bed unit. More than 700 infants with various health problems are cared for in this unit each year.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit staff includes:

• Neonatologists - doctors who specialize in the care of critically ill infants and are trained to treat a wide variety of health problems.
• Neonatal fellows - doctors in training in the specialty of neonatology.
• Neonatal nurse practitioner - an advanced practice nurse with specialized education in planning and coordinating the care of critically ill infants.
• Clinical nurse specialist - an advanced practice nurse focused on teaching, best nursing practices and conducting research.
• Residents - doctors who are in training to be pediatricians.
• Neonatal registered nurses - nurses who have had training in the care of critically ill infants and their families.
• Respiratory care practitioners - health care professionals with special training in the care of critically ill infants.

Services available to support you:

• Lactation consultants are available to answer questions and assist mothers in breastfeeding their infants.
• Speech and feeding teams help infants learn to suck and eat properly.
• Occupational and physical therapists are available to assist in the growth and development of infants.
• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation trainers are available to teach CPR before parents take their infant home.
• A Neonatal Follow-up Program tracks the growth and development of infants after they leave the hospital.
• Social workers are available to assist with general or financial concerns.
• Children's Transport team members make up a specialized medical team that brings babies from other medical centers to Children's Hospital.
• Fetal Concerns Program to coordinate all the care a pregnant mother needs if she or her infant are at high risk or have a known problem.

Our NICU features:

• Private newborn bed spaces.
• Bed spaces specially designed to care for infants from admission to discharge.
• Special pods for twins and triplets to allow families to stay together during care.
• Ability to perform certain procedures at the patient's bedside.
• Rooms that allow parents to practice caring for their baby before he or she goes home.
• Family computer and kitchen area.
• Breast pumping rooms for privacy.
• Specialized freezers for breast milk storage.
• In-unit pharmacy with staff that is specially trained in the unique needs of NICU babies.

View a virtual tour of the NICU, along with other areas of the hospital.

Neonatal Intensive Care Outcomes
Compared to other hospitals in the Pediatric Health Information System database:

• Inborn patients at Children's Hospital reflected a lower average number of ventilator days.
• Children's Hospital was consistently below the comparative group in the average oxygen use days for patients weighing less than 1,500 grams.
• Our average charge per visit and charge per day for patients weighing less than 1,500 grams was consistently lower.

To learn more about our outcomes and services, download our 2007 Neonatology Outcomes Report.

Visiting your baby
We recognize the importance of the entire family in caring for a sick baby. We encourage hands-on participation and input in creating a plan of care. Parents and grandparents may visit 24-hours a day. Siblings, other family members and family friends are welcome with parent's approval. Please ask your baby's nurse if you have any questions about visiting.

Learn more about why you should choose the NICU at Children's Hospital to care for your fragile newborn.