What is a NICU?
A neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is a specialised area of the hospital for newborn babies who need close monitoring and medical support. Babies here may be premature, very small, have breathing trouble, infection, jaundice needing treatment, or need observation after a difficult delivery. The unit is quiet and warm, and staff are trained to care for very small babies.
Why a baby may be admitted to the NICU
- Born before 37 weeks or with low birth weight
- Rapid or laboured breathing, or need for oxygen
- Low blood sugar or difficulty maintaining temperature
- Poor feeding or vomiting
- Jaundice at levels that need phototherapy
- Suspected infection
- Close monitoring after a complicated delivery
Support that may be given
- Continuous monitoring of heart rate, breathing and oxygen levels
- Temperature support in an incubator or warmer
- Oxygen or respiratory support
- Phototherapy for jaundice
- Feeding support, including breast milk and tube feeding
- Kangaroo mother care once the baby is stable
The exact support depends on each baby's condition, and the doctor will explain it to the family. Availability of specific services is confirmed by the team at the time of admission.
Parents are part of the care team
Holding your baby skin to skin, expressing breast milk and learning to feed and handle the baby are important parts of recovery. Follow hand-hygiene rules to protect these small babies from infection, and ask the team about visiting arrangements. Our guide on premature baby care helps parents prepare.
NICU and delivery in the same hospital
When a baby is expected to need support, delivering in a hospital that has a newborn team avoids transferring a fragile baby. Sparsh combines delivery care with newborn and neonatal care in one hospital, with Dr. Pankaj Kumar, neonatologist and pediatrician, and the newborn team.
Going home
Before discharge the team explains feeding, warmth, cord and skin care, warning signs, vaccination dates and follow-up visits. Babies born early are reviewed regularly for growth and development. Learn more about our NICU facility or the pediatric hospital services.
हिंदी में संक्षेप
NICU में समय से पहले जन्मे, कम वजन वाले या बीमार नवजात शिशुओं की लगातार निगरानी और सहायता की जाती है। माता-पिता को भी देखभाल में शामिल किया जाता है। NICU सुविधा की उपलब्धता बच्चे की स्थिति के अनुसार टीम द्वारा बताई जाती है।
Visit Sparsh in Chitaipur, Varanasi
Sparsh Mother & Child Hospital & IVF Fertility Center, Gokulpuram Colony, Chitaipur - Chunar Road, Kandwa, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221106. Open 24 hours. Call +91 80900 76144 or book an appointment online.
Frequently asked questions
When does a newborn need NICU care?
Can parents touch or hold the baby in the NICU?
What is phototherapy?
How is infection prevented in the NICU?
Is NICU support available at Sparsh?
Ready to talk to a specialist?
Book a consultation and our team will confirm your appointment. Every plan is made after an individual examination.
Medical information is general and does not replace an examination. Outcomes vary between patients. For an emergency, use appropriate emergency services.