A unit providing respiratory support, nutritional management, jaundice treatment, and advanced life support when needed for premature or critically ill newborns.
Indication
- Premature infants (usually <37 weeks) and low-birth-weight infants
- Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and need for surfactant therapy
- Meconium aspiration, birth asphyxia, intracranial hemorrhage
- Neonatal jaundice (need for phototherapy/exchange transfusion)
- Neonatal sepsis and other severe infections
- Congenital heart disease, need for postoperative monitoring
- Need for advanced respiratory support and prolonged monitoring when indicated
Preparation
- Maternal history, gestational week, mode of delivery, and postnatal findings are evaluated
- The setting is prepared for vascular access, oxygen saturation monitoring, and body temperature regulation
- The family is informed about unit rules, visiting hours, and the breastfeeding/pumping plan
- Blood group, maternal infection screening, and vaccination status are obtained
How it's performed
- The infant is monitored at physiological temperature in an incubator or open warmer
- Heart rate, respiration, oxygen saturation, and blood pressure are continuously monitored
- Nasal CPAP, mechanical ventilation, high-frequency ventilation, or ECMO support in appropriate centers is used as needed
- Vascular access (umbilical/peripheral) is established; fluids, medications, and intravenous nutrition are administered
- Phototherapy is applied for jaundice; exchange transfusion is performed when indicated
- Breast milk-prioritized feeding, kangaroo care, and developmental support are planned
Post-procedure
- Weight gain, head circumference, and neurological development are monitored daily
- Oxygen and respiratory support are gradually weaned according to the infant's condition
- Eye, hearing, and cardiac screenings are performed before transition to oral feeding and discharge
- After discharge, follow-up at the prematurity clinic, developmental follow-up, and the vaccination program continue
- The family is educated about home care, feeding, warning signs, and vaccinations
Risks
- Respiratory, vision (ROP), hearing, and developmental issues related to prematurity
- Neonatal infections and risk of in-unit transmission
- Lung injury related to prolonged ventilation (BPD)
- Intracranial hemorrhage, feeding intolerance, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)
- Family psychosocial burden during prolonged stays
FAQ
How long will my baby stay in intensive care?
The duration depends on the baby's gestational age and clinical condition; some babies stay for a few days, while others may be monitored for several months.
Can I visit and hold my baby?
Kangaroo care is encouraged as much as possible; depending on the baby's condition, contact, breastfeeding, and expressed milk are coordinated with the team.
Is breast milk important?
Breast milk is very valuable for premature infants in terms of intestinal development, infection protection, and neurological development; pumping and storage are supported.
What follow-ups are needed after discharge?
Weight gain, feeding, vaccinations, eye (ROP), hearing, and neurodevelopmental assessments are scheduled at regular intervals.
Related Information
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