Neonatology or Neonatal Care

Generally, babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy and have a birth weight of less than 2.5kg are placed in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for a certain period. Likewise, the NICU is a place where special care is given to newborns with health conditions.

Neonatal intensive special care (NICU)

Our team of nurses provides intensive special care for newborns, as well as health education for parents of high-risk newborns.

Common conditions that may require NICU

Blood disorders

• Anaemia – low number of red blood cells
• Jaundice – skin turns yellow because of bilirubin build-up in the blood
• Bleeding disorders

Chromosomal or other genetic defects

Nervous system problems

• Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy – brain damage due to not enough oxygen and blood
• Seizures
• Head/body cooling
• Hypotonia – decreased muscle tone

Gastrointestinal conditions

• Feeding intolerance
• Cholestasis – reduction of bile formation or flow
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) – contents of the stomach back up into the oesophagus, causing the baby to spit up or vomit

Heart diseases

• Cardiac arrhythmias – abnormal heart rate or rhythm
• Other heart defects

Infectious diseases

• Meningitis – inflammation or swelling of protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord
• Sepsis – an extreme response to an infection which can be life-threatening

Endocrine and metabolic diseases

• Hypoglycemia – the baby's blood sugar or glucose level is lower than normal
• Metabolism problem
• Hypothyroidism – newborn cannot make normal amounts of thyroid hormone
• Hyperthyroidism – baby's thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone
• Adrenal dysfunction
• Neonatal abstinence syndrome – health problems that result from being exposed to drugs while in the mother's womb

Renal diseases

• Polycystic kidney disease – genetic disorder wherein cysts develop within the kidneys
• Kidney failure
• Hydronephrosis – swelling of the kidney
• Multi-cystic kidney
• Urinary tract infection (UTI)

Respiratory diseases

• Pulmonary hypertension
• Apnoea – episodes of breathing cessation
• Respiratory distress syndrome

Neonatal parental support group

The department also offers support groups for parents who would like to share their experience with other parents facing similar problems in caring for their ill newborns.

To ease your worries while you are away from your baby, know that the NICU makes a difference to your child’s survival. The nurses in NICU have been specially trained in neonatal care and are able to understand the needs of your baby. Here are some of what your newborn will experience under neonatal care:

• The newborn is usually placed in an incubator or under a radiant warmer. Once your baby is able to regulate their body temperature on their own, your newborn will be transferred to an open crib.
• Your baby's oxygen level will be monitored by placing a pulse ox or an oxygen sensor on the newborn's wrist or foot.
• The heart rate and breathing of your baby will be monitored as well. Wires with small sticky pads connected to a cardiopulmonary monitor will be placed on the baby's chest.
• Intravenous lines (IV) will be inserted into a vein on the hand, arm, foot or other parts of your baby's body. The IV line will be used to deliver medicines and fluids to your baby.
• The blood pressure of your baby will be monitored too. The baby's arm or leg will be wrapped in a blood pressure cuff connected to a machine which regularly takes the baby’s blood pressure.
• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine will be connected to your baby through small tubes inserted into the nostrils. This machine sends air and oxygen to the baby’s lungs.
• Your baby may also be connected to a high-frequency ventilator, a machine that breathes for your baby.

A team of healthcare providers including neonatologists, paediatric residents, neonatal nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists, dietitians, lactation consultants and pharmacist will work together to make sure that the necessary care is given to your newborn. Before your baby is allowed to be discharged from NICU, the NICU team will conduct several NICU screening tests for your baby.

At Parkway East Hospital, we provide specialised healthcare services that respond to the special needs of newborn and infants. One of the services we provide is the neonatal intensive special care.

Our neonatology team led by experienced paediatricians will ensure your newborn’s safety and recovery. Our paediatric surgeons perform minimally invasive laparoscopic surgical procedures to repair congenital birth defects. Our team of nurses provides intensive special care for newborns, as well as health education for parents of high-risk newborns.

To complement this expertise, we are equipped with the necessary technology and equipment for neonatal care and paediatric surgery.

The department also offers support groups for parents who would like to share their experience with other parents facing similar problems in caring for their ill newborns.

Take your first step towards healing and recovery by making an enquiry or appointment with us.

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