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NICU Treatment in Hebbal Bangalore

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

NICU Treatment in Hebbal Bangalore

Babies born prematurely, have health problems, have undergone surgery, or had a difficult birth are given special care in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The highly trained staff at the NICU ensures that the baby is monitored round the clock until it recovers. Since the NICU Treatment in Hebbal Bangalore is a special care facility, most family members except the parents aren't allowed to visit. Neonatal infants cared for in the NICU have a good chance of recovery. 

Which babies need NICU admission?

Here are some of the factors that increase the chances of a newborn baby being sent to the NICU,

  • Baby born prematurely at a gestational age of 37 weeks instead of 42 weeks. 

  • Low birth weight (less than 2.5kg) or excess birth weight (more than 4kg).

  • Fetal distress or birth asphyxia. 

  • Abnormal position during delivery, such as breech birth. 

  • Umbilical cord wrapped around the baby's neck (nuchal line)

  • Congenital disabilities 

  • Infections such as Chlamydia, group B strep and herpes 

  • Seizures

  • Increased need for oxygen 

  • Need for special treatments or surgery

Medical equipment used in the NICU

The NICU is designed to keep the infant as comfortable as possible with an atmosphere similar to being in the mother's womb. It is normal to find a host of instruments and treatments, such as,

  1. Incubators: incubators are small enclosed beds designed to keep the temperature steady at the baby's body temperature. Medical care is given through holes in the sides of the incubators. 

  2. Infant warmers are warming beds with inbuilt heaters to keep the baby warm and comfortable. Since they are open, it is possible to access the baby easily. 

  3. Phototherapy: Some newborn babies have jaundice. Since they can't be carried out in the sunlight, NICU chambers, have unique lights attached to the sides for the phototherapy. 

  4. Infant monitors: Monitors track the infant's vital signs, such as heart rate, temperature and breathing. The monitoring leads include: 

  5. Temperature probe: placed on the baby's skin, it records the temperature at all times. 

  6. Chest leads: Chest leads to stick to the baby's chest and monitors the heart rate and breathing. 

  7. Pulse oximetry: Pulse oximeters are taped to the fingers to measure the blood oxygen levels and the pulse. 

  8. Blood Pressure is measured through a blood pressure cuff or an arterial line. 

  9. Feeding tubes: these devices are sent directly into the stomach to deliver nutrition. Babies who cannot take the breast or the bottle are fed through feeding tubes. 

  10. Intravenous catheters(IVs) are small tubes that feed fluids directly into the veins. They can be given in the hands, arms or even legs. 

  11. Lines: Arterial lines feed fluids to the large arteries in the neck, chest or groin. 

  12. Ventilators: Ventilators help babies breathe by placing a breathing tube into the windpipe.  

Consult with a team of doctors at Manipal Hospitals to know more about treatments. 

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