A Neonatal Unit is especially
designed and equipped to care for sick and pre-term babies.
One in ten babies born in the UK spend at least a few days in a
Neonatal Unit either because they have an infection and need
intravenous antibiotics, need extra monitoring or breathing
support.
The length of stay varies from days to months and depends on each
baby's needs.
CATEGORIES OF CARE
Newborn infants who
require medical care receive it in a neonatal unit. There are four
different categories of care:
Intensive Care
Critically ill
babies who require continuous support of organ function and
continuous observation. Examples being babies who require
ventilation or very pre-term babies with Respiratory Distress
Syndrome.
High Dependency Care
Specialist care for babies who, though not critically ill,
require continuous support and observation for neonatal
conditions. Examples are pre-term babies with recurrent apnoea
spells, stable babies receiving nasal CPAP or those receiving
parenteral nutrition.
Special Care
Continuing care
for babies who require specialist support such as tube feeding or
care in incubators. Examples are well babies who are maturing after
pre-term delivery or convalescing following High Dependency or
Intensive Care.
Normal Care
Care of babies
well enough to be at home but remain in hospital because the mother
needs support. This may include care of mother mature pre-term
infants or babies with minor or common medical
problems.
Whatever the level of care required, all newborn infants will need
to be kept warm, receive fluid, and receive nutrition. Being kept
warm may be achieved by wrapping, by being placed under an overhead
warmer, or by being placed in an incubator. Fluid and nutrition
can be provided intravenously via a narrow tube placed in a blood
vessel, through a tube placed through the nose or mouth into the
stomach, or by mouth.
STAFF IN NEONATAL UNITS
The Senior Nurse and
Sisters are in charge of the nursing staff which includes nurses of
all grades, some of whom are in training. The medical staff
consists of Consultants, Registrars and Senior House Officers. If
a baby requires surgery, a Paediatric Consultant Surgeon will also
be involved in the baby's care.
Other staff visiting may include Physiotherapists, Radiographers,
Pharmacists, Dieticians and Social Workers. Social workers help
parents in practical ways and can advise about benefits and
maternity rights.
Useful information can be obtained from
Bliss, the premature baby
charity.