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The Neonatal ICU is a hospital environment prepared to receive babies born before 37 weeks of gestation, with low weight or who have a problem that can interfere with their development, such as cardiac or respiratory changes, for example.
The baby remains in the ICU until it can grow, reach good weight and become able to breathe, suck and swallow. The length of stay in the ICU varies according to the baby and the reason he was taken to the ICU, however in some hospitals a parent can remain with the baby for the entire length of the stay.
When it is necessary to stay in the ICU
The neonatal ICU is a place in the hospital prepared to receive newborns who were born prematurely, before 37 weeks, with low weight or with respiratory, liver, cardiac or infectious problems, for example. Soon after birth, the baby may need to be admitted to the neonatal ICU to receive further monitoring and treatment for the reason he was referred to the unit.
What is part of the neonatal ICU
The neonatal Intensive Care Unit (ICU) consists of a multiprofessional team consisting of neonatologist, pediatrician, nurses, nutritionist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist and speech therapist who promote the baby's health and development 24 hours a day.
Each Neonatal ICU is composed of equipment that helps the baby's treatment, such as:
- Incubator, which keeps the baby warm;
- Cardiac monitors, which check the baby's heart rate, reporting any changes;
- Respiratory monitors, which indicate the baby's breathing capacity, and it may be necessary for the baby to be on mechanical ventilation;
- Catheters, which are used primarily to promote baby nutrition.
The multiprofessional team periodically evaluates the baby so that it can check the baby's evolution, that is, if the heart rate and respiratory rate are normal, if the nutrition is adequate and the baby's weight.
How long the hospital stay
The length of stay in the neonatal ICU can vary from several days to a few months, according to the needs and characteristics of each baby. During the ICU stay, the parents, or at least the mother, can remain with the baby, accompanying the treatment and promoting the baby's well-being.
When discharge occurs
The discharge is given by the responsible physician, taking into account the evaluation of the professionals involved in the care of the baby. It usually happens when the baby gains respiratory independence and is able to suck all the food, in addition to having more than 2 kg. Before the baby is discharged, the family receives some guidelines so that the treatment can be continued at home and, thus, the baby can develop normally.