NICU
The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) provides critical care to newborns who are ill or premature. Many factors may lead to a newborn being admitted to the NICU, including low birth weight or complications during delivery. The NICU staff works closely with parents to develop a treatment plan for their newborn.
Advanced neonatal care in Dallas, Texas
At Medical City Children's Hospital, the specialists in our Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) are committed to providing advanced, high-quality care to our youngest patients.
As part of this commitment, we offer access to NICU specialists, such as neonatologists, neonatal nurse practitioners and respiratory therapists.
What is a NICU?
Newborns who are born prematurely or experience complications before or after birth may be admitted to a NICU, sometimes referred to as a neonatal ICU. A NICU is a specialized unit in a hospital that is staffed by specialists who provide skilled care for a range of medical conditions affecting newborn infants.
Advanced neonatal care
Medical City Children's Hospital has a Level IV NICU, which provides the highest level of care available. Our NICU is staffed by compassionate medical professionals 24 hours a day.
One of the benefits of delivering a baby in the women's hospital on the shared campus of Medical City Dallas and Medical City Children's Hospital, is the ability to keep families together. We believe it is important for new parents to bond with their newborn.
What to expect in our NICU
The environment is carefully managed to enhance infant outcomes with soft lights and minimal noise to promote healthy rest and healing. Parents are offered as much privacy and comfort as possible to support them during this critical time in their child's life. Breastfeeding mothers have access to breast pumps in all rooms, as well as access to lactation nurses.
We provide private rooms in our NICU and each room is equipped with a pull-out couch to accommodate parents staying overnight. For infants who are almost ready to be discharged, we provide a transitional room. This room looks like a normal bedroom to help parents get used to spending time with their newborn outside of the NICU.
Educational support
A neonatologist is a doctor who specializes in the care of newborns. Neonatologists at our hospital collaborate with pediatric doctors in many other sub-specialties to provide quality care for our littlest patients. Parents have 24-hour access to the neonatal unit and team to ensure they feel connected to their children.
In addition to physicians and nurses, the NICU is staffed by:
- Respiratory therapists
- Child life specialists
- Medical social workers
- Pharmacists
- Rehabilitation therapists
- Lactation nurses
NICU at Medical City Dallas Hospital
Medical City Dallas Hospital's Level IV neonatal intensive care unit serves critically sick infants who require attentive, focused care. The unit provides state-of-the-art care, delivered by highly skilled, dedicated and compassionate medical professionals.