Neonatalogy and Neonatal Intensive
Care Unit (NICU)
Neonatal Intensive Care State-of-the-art. The NICU at The Children's Hospital is a Level
III unit. That designation means that the unit offers the highest
level of neonatal care. The 17-bed unit is fully equipped with state-of-the-art
technology, specially developed to care for newborns with complex
medical problems. Specialty care is available for babies born prematurely
and who have birth defects, inherited metabolic disorders, congenital
malformations or heart disease, infections, neurologic problems,
gastrointestinal and hematologic disorders. The unit admits infants
from any community hospital, as well as The Cleveland Clinic.
Staffed by specialists. Board-certified neonatologists
and nursing specialists work as a team with pediatric developmental
and other specialists, lactation experts, psychologists, pediatric
physical and occupational therapists, and speech pathologists. This
team approach ensures that each patient and family receives comprehensive
care.
Developmental care. Infants respond differently to
the type of care and stimulation they receive in a NICU setting.
At The Children's Hospital, the NICU team uses stress assessments
as a basis for modifying a baby's environment and treatment strategies.
No "routine" procedures are performed on the unit; room
lighting, sound and the frequency and timing of medical/nursing
care are all adapted to suit each infant's needs. Studies have shown
that developmental care has many positive effects on babies, from
reducing the amount of time an infant needs assisted ventilation
to accelerating weight gain.
Family-centered. Family-friendly amenities help make
this new facility comfortable and pleasant. Parents have 24-hour
visitation and are encouraged to attend medical rounds and other
meetings concerning their baby's progress. Siblings aged 3 and older
may visit any time following a health screening by a registered
nurse. Using a transition room, parents have the opportunity to
"room in" with their baby prior to discharge. This allows
parents to get comfortable caring for their new baby.
Rehabilitation: Addressing Long-term Needs
"Graduates" of neonatal intensive care may experience
a range of medical and developmental disorders resulting from premature
birth or complications from their illness. The Neonatal Intensive
Care Unit's Follow-Up Program can address the long-term needs of
these children and their families.
In addition, The Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital
for Rehabilitation (formerly Health Hill Hospital) provides intensive
therapy and complex medical monitoring for children born prematurely
through its inpatient program. The only freestanding pediatric rehabilitation
hospital in Ohio-and one of only a few of its kind in the nation-
the Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation offers a number of specialty
programs, including the Center for Autism, treatment for feeding
disorders, an innovative motor control program, pediatric kidney
dialysis (opening 2003), and specialized foster care. Pediatric
outpatient therapy also is available at four convenient locations.
Information
If you have questions, or if you would like to arrange for a tour
of the NICU, please call Birthing Services at 216/445-7990 or 800/223-2273,
ext. 57990.