Neonatal Intensive Care

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) provides medical/surgical treatment for newborns who are either ill or who are delivered significantly earlier than their due date (before 37 weeks). Neonatal refers to a newborn or a person who is under 28 days old. Neonatologists are medical professionals who care for newborns.

The infant depends on the mother’s functions before delivery. These include breathing, eating, getting rid of waste, and having a strong immune system. A baby’s body systems must adapt once it is born. For instance:

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The lungs must breathe air.

The cardiac and pulmonary circulation changes.

The digestive system must process food and excrete waste.

The kidneys must balance fluids, chemicals, and excrete waste.

The liver and immune systems must begin working on their own.