The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
Being born prematurely, having a difficult delivery, or birth defects can make these changes more challenging. Fortunately for these babies, special newborn care is available. The birth of a baby is a wonderful yet very complex process. Many ... [... more]
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital |
Assessments for Newborn Babies
The Apgar score is one of the first checks of your new baby's health. The Apgar score is assigned in the first few minutes after birth to help identify babies that have difficulty breathing or have a problem that needs further care. The baby is ... [... more]
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital |
Caring for Babies in the NICU
Although about 9 percent of all newborn babies require care in a NICU, giving birth to a sick or premature baby can be quite unexpected for any parent. Although about 9 percent of all newborn babies require care in a NICU, giving birth to a sick ... [... more]
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital |
Common Conditions and Complications
Advances in technology have helped improve the care of sick newborns. Advances in technology have helped improve the care of sick newborns. Under the care of specialized physicians and other healthcare providers, babies have much greater chances ... [... more]
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital |
Parenting in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
Having a baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit can be a shock for many parents. In most cases, you can be with your baby in the NICU at any time. The staff of the NICU will give you instructions on special handwashing techniques before ... [... more]
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital |
Breastfeeding the High Risk Newborn
Giving birth to a premature or other high-risk baby (or babies) does not mean you cannot breastfeed. Giving birth to a premature or other high-risk baby (or babies) does not mean you cannot breastfeed. Actually, the opposite may be the case. ... [... more]
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital |
Taking Your Baby Home
Although parents are excited to take their baby home after days or weeks in the NICU, it may cause many parents some anxiety. Although parents are excited to take their baby home after days or weeks in the NICU, it may cause many parents some ... [... more]
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital |
Dubowitz/Ballard exam
- when air leaks through holes in the lung tissue into the spaces outside the lung airways. - a general term used to describe inadequate intake of oxygen by the baby. - a term for long-term respiratory problems in premature babies that results ... [... more]
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital |
Gene Clinics
An online genetic resource that contains comprehensive information about selected genetic disorders An online genetic resource that contains a directory of genetics and prenatal diagnosis clinics in the United States [... more]
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital |
Warmth and temperature regulation:
Babies are not as adaptable as adults to temperature change. Babies are not as adaptable as adults to temperature change. A baby's body surface is about three times greater than an adult's, compared to the weight of his/her body. Babies can lose ... [... more]
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital |
Nutrition for babies in the NICU:
Many babies in the NICU receive essential fluids and electrolytes through a tube in a vein called an IV. Feeding babies in the NICU is quite different from feeding healthy babies. When babies are sick or premature, they are often not well enough ... [... more]
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital |
Testing and Lab Procedures
Babies in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) need frequent examinations and monitoring as part of their care. Babies in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) need frequent examinations and monitoring as part of their care. Although many ... [... more]
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital |
