Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is a specialized facility with 10 beds, designated as a Level III referral center, that provides comprehensive medical and surgical care for critically ill newborns. The NICU operates around the clock, with a team of highly trained neonatologists, nurses, and support staff working together to treat these babies and support their families. This multidisciplinary team, consisting of various specialties within the hospital, ensures that the best possible care is provided to babies from the entire region.

Newborn infants who are unwell or born prematurely often require specialized care in the NICU. While pediatricians can handle most health issues in infants, neonatologists are specifically trained to care for high-risk babies. Therefore, the establishment of a dedicated Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is crucial to meet the needs of these vulnerable newborns.

At American Hospital Dubai, our dedicated team of doctors and NICU nurses are committed to providing exceptional care for infants in our state-of-the-art cubicle-based Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). We recognize the importance of personalized care for both you and your baby during this critical time.

Our team of experts is available 24/7, working closely with specialists in different pediatric sub-specialties to provide coordinated care for your baby. We prioritize the highest quality of life for your little one. Prior to your baby's birth, you can schedule a visit to the American Hospital to meet with our neonatology experts. During this visit, you will have the opportunity to discuss the care your baby will receive and take a tour of our advanced NICU facility. Our neonatologists will address all your questions and concerns to ensure you feel well-informed and reassured.

Our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is equipped to handle complex medical issues for babies born at all gestations, even those born as early as 23+0 weeks. We also provide post-operative surgical management, ensuring comprehensive care for your baby's health journey.

Neonatal Conditions We Handle:

Our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at American Hospital provides expert care for high-risk neonates. This includes not only premature infants but also newborns with complex issues. We have the capabilities to address a wide range of neonatal conditions, offering specialized treatments and care tailored to each situation.

Premature Birth:

• Globally, around 10% of births result in preterm delivery.
• At American Hospital, nearly half of our NICU admissions are due to premature births.
• Specifically, about 50% of these admissions involve babies born before 34 weeks of gestation.
• Within our NICU, we are equipped to care for infants born as early as 23+0 weeks of gestation.
• Our level 3 NICU at American Hospital provides the necessary expertise and skills needed to manage premature infants effectively.
• Babies born prematurely before 32 weeks often require respiratory support, such as CPAP or ventilation, to help with respiratory distress syndrome. They may also benefit from surfactant treatment to improve lung function. Additionally, we provide the LISA technique, a non-invasive method of administering surfactant, to further improve outcomes for these infants.
• To ensure the best future outcomes, eligible babies undergo various screening protocols including head ultrasound, ECHO for a heart scan, and ROP for eye screening. They also receive developmental care interventions to support their overall growth and well-being.
• Typically, babies are ready to be discharged when they reach around 2 kg in weight and reach 36-37 weeks of corrected gestation. At this point, they can independently handle their feeds, marking an important milestone in their development.
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Term Babies Needing Admission:

Admission may be necessary for term babies for different reasons, such as:

• Transient Tachypnoea of the Newborn (temporary breathing difficulty) caused by wet lungs, which typically improves with non-invasive breathing assistance.
• Neonatal infections are usually treated with early administration of antibiotics.
• Neonatal jaundice is often managed in the OB ward, but in some cases, intensive phototherapy, or an exchange blood transfusion in the NICU is required.
• Failure to thrive or intrauterine growth retardation requires intensive care with thermal support, sugar monitoring, and nutritional supplementation through total parenteral nutrition.

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (Therapeutic Hypothermia Protocol):

The Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (Therapeutic Hypothermia Protocol) aims to manage and treat hypoxic brain injuries that occur in full-term babies. This protocol involves the implementation of therapeutic cooling soon after birth and is carried out in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Continuous monitoring of cerebral function is also provided during this process. Additionally, the protocol may include the use of MRI scans and EEGs, as well as consultation from various medical professionals such as pediatric neurologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and developmental care teams, all of whom are readily available in the NICU.

Surgical Services:

Our hospital offers exceptional neonatal surgical services that are available 24/7. These services are overseen by a skilled pediatric surgeon. After surgery, babies are carefully monitored and receive intensive care in our NICU. We also regularly accept referrals from other hospitals for NICU care.

Other Neonatal Conditions:

• The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is responsible for the treatment of babies who require chest drains for pleural effusion or pneumothorax drainage.
• Infants with hydrocephalus receive care through lumbar punctures and/or ventricular taps, and pediatric neurosurgeons are readily available if surgery becomes necessary. MRI scans of the brain are also utilized in the management of these cases.
• American Hospital offers a range of diagnostic procedures for neonates, including EEG, CFM, ECHO, US scans, contrast studies, CT, and MRI.
• Our facility is equipped to handle various other common neonatal problems, such as neonatal jaundice, anemia, sepsis, stroke, congenital malformations, and the need for surgeries.

Programs and Services:

At American Hospital Dubai, we understand that every newborn has unique needs. That's why we offer comprehensive neonatology programs and services in our NICU. We believe in providing personalized care plans that cater to the specific requirements of each baby and their family. Our range of care services includes:

• Neonatal ventilation, including high-frequency ventilation and nitric oxide therapy.
• Administration of central line/umbilical lines/invasive arterial monitoring.
• Lumbar puncture for medical purposes.
• Insertion of chest drain to aid in respiratory support.
• Ventricular tap for draining excess fluid in the brain.
• Placement of abdominal drain for medical reasons.
• Provision of total parenteral nutrition for optimal nutrition.
• Whole-body hypothermia therapy for babies who have suffered brain damage due to oxygen deprivation.
• Offering neonatal EEG, amplitude-integrated EEG, MRI, CT, and head ultrasound services.
• Conducting neonatal ECHO exams.
• Availability of neonatal surgical facilities.

Book an Appointment:

We take pride in being one of the top healthcare institutions in the country for neonatology and child health. If you have any questions about finding a reputable hospital for premature baby care or seeking the expertise of the best neonatologists in Dubai, please do not hesitate to contact our Customer Support Staff at +971 43775500.