Neonatal Intensive Care: A Lifeline for the Tiniest Patients
Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) are specialized hospital wards designed to provide critical care for newborns facing severe medical challenges. These units serve as a lifeline for infants born prematurely, with congenital conditions, or suffering from complications during birth. The primary aim of neonatal intensive care is to support the infant’s development and stabilize vital functions until they are strong enough to thrive outside a controlled environment.
Premature babies are among the most frequent patients in NICUs. Born before 37 weeks of gestation, these infants often have underdeveloped organs, particularly the lungs, which makes breathing difficult. Advanced respiratory support, including ventilators and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, is crucial in helping these babies breathe. Alongside breathing support, NICU teams closely monitor heart rate, oxygen levels, and temperature to ensure a stable environment. Specialized incubators maintain an optimal temperature and humidity,…