Science in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

April 3rd, 2012 by admin

science, health science, health, baby, neonatal

Unless you?ve had a premature baby yourself, there?s a wing of your hospital that you might not even know about: the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit , or NICU. The NICU is the home for the first few months of life for the thousands of babies that are born prematurely in the United States each year. If you?ve been warned that you?re at risk for preterm delivery and are facing a NICU stay, understanding the science of the NICU and what it means for your baby helps to prepare you for what you?ll face there. The NICU is one place in the hospital that advances in modern health science are constantly being applied to ensure the best outcomes for all of the babies that stay there, whether for a few weeks or even several months.

Premature births. A premature birth is one that occurs before 37 weeks gestation. The March of Dimes estimates that nearly 13 percent of babies are born prematurely in the United States and the number continues to rise. The conditions for prematurity and the outcome f or your baby varies widely depending on the degree of prematurity. For instance, a baby born at 34 weeks generally has a better outlook and less chance for lingering problems than a 25 weeker. NICUs generally cannot accept a baby who is born earlier than 24 weeks, but policies vary from hospital to hospital. The parent of a 25 weeker will have a much different experience than a baby who is further developed, as each week in the womb accounts for a large chunk of heart, lung and brain development in a baby. While outcomes are generally positive after 24 weeks, the real milestone is 28 weeks gestation, after which a baby?s survival rate outside the womb skyrockets to nearly 90 percent.

Science in the NICU. Since emerging science is continually changing the face of care for premature infants, NICU staff make every effort to stay up-to-date on the latest policies and procedures to ensure a positive outcome for as many babies as possible. That means that the procedure for an early baby five years might vary greatly from the care and procedures offered today. Care conferences and additional education is required for each nurse, therapist and doctor that works in the NICU. Continual education alerts health care professionals to the latest developments in health sciences and how it could affect their tiny patient. Whether it?s a different combination of therapeutic medication or different procedures for detecting issues during pregnancy, you?ll see the results of scientific development in real time in the NICU.

Working together. What is most interesting with a NICU?s care of premature infants is that it?s a team effort. If problems are detected before birth, a perinatologist ? oh high risk pregnancy doctor ? alerts the neonatology team well in advance. The doctors work together to decide on the best plan of science and technology, which could include anything from early delivery to constant monitoring in the hospital. Once a preemie is born, occupational therapists, respiratory therapists, neonatologists, nurses and radiologists all work together to diagnose issues and create a care plan that gives your baby the best chance of survival and a happy, healthy life.

october baby sugarland 16 and pregnant ludwig mies van der rohe jamie lynn sigler mega millions jackpot black panther party