Neonatal ICU is a hospital setting prepared to receive babies born before 37 weeks of gestation, underweight, or who have a problem that may interfere with their development, such as heart or respiratory disorders, for example.
The baby stays in the intensive care unit until he or she can grow, reach a good weight, and be able to breathe, suck, and swallow. The length of your stay in intensive care varies depending on the baby and the reason you were taken to intensive care, but in some hospitals, a parent may keep the baby throughout the stay.
- Neonatal ICU is a hospital location prepared to receive premature newborns.
- Before 37 weeks.
- Underweight or with respiratory.
- Liver.
- Cardiac or infectious problems.
- For example.
- Immediately after birth.
- The baby may need to be admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit for additional follow-up and treatment for reasons why he or she was referred to the unit.
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is made up of a multiprofessional team of neonatologists, pediatricians, nurses, nutritionists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists that promote the health and development of the baby 24 hours a day.
Each neonatal intensive care unit is made up of equipment that facilitates the baby’s treatment, such as:
The multiprofessional team periodically evaluates the baby so that he or she can check its evolution, i.e. whether the heart and respiratory rate is normal, whether nutrition is adequate, and the baby’s weight.
The time spent in neonatal resuscitation can vary from a few days to a few months, depending on the needs and characteristics of each baby. During intensive care, parents, or at least the mother, can keep the baby, accompanying treatment and promoting the baby’s well-being.
The discharge is given by the responsible doctor, taking into account the assessment of the professionals involved in the care of the baby. This usually occurs when the baby gains respiratory independence and is able to suck all the food, in addition to weighing more than 2 kg. Before the baby is discharged, the family is instructed that treatment can continue at home for the baby to develop normally.