Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Why do babies need special care in Neonate Intensive Care Unit?

There is a wide spectrum of factors that can impact a baby's health during pregnancy, childbirth or soon after they are born. Such babies need special care and attention that can only be offered in a NICU.

Maternal factors

Maternal factors that can give rise to the need for special neonatal care include:

• If the mother is too young (< 16 years of age) or older than 40 years
• If the mother had been using any kind of drugs
• If the mother had been consuming alcohol
• If the mother has existing medical conditions like diabetes, hypertension, etc
• If the mother has been experiencing unusual bleeding during pregnancy
• If the mother is suffering from a sexually transmitted disease like AIDS
• If it is a multiple pregnancy, i.e the mother is carrying more than 1 child
• If the amniotic fluid is not present in the right amount
• If the amniotic sac ruptures prematurely

Delivery-related factors

Delivery-related factors that can give rise to the need for special neonatal care include:

• Fetal distress due to reduced supply of oxygen to the baby at the time of birth
• Breech birth, i.e. if the baby’s bottom comes out first
• If the baby passes meconium while still inside the amniotic sac
• If the umbilical cord gets tangled around the baby’s neck
• If the doctors have to shift from normal delivery to C-section due to any complication.

Other factors

• Other factors that can give rise to the need for special neonatal care include:
• If the baby is born before the completion of 37 weeks of pregnancy or after 42 weeks.
• If the baby is not weighing more than 2,500 gms at the time of birth
• If the baby is weighing more than 4,000 gms at the time of birth.
• If the baby had to be resuscitated after birth
• If the baby is born with any defects or abnormalities
• If the baby is experiencing breathing problems, also known as respiratory distress
• If the baby is experiencing seizures or has low blood sugar
• If the baby is anaemic