At LittleGuide Detroit, we want to make life easier for parents – which often times includes sharing cool new destinations, but also information about the best resources for your family as well – including the best pediatric hospital. Welcoming a new little into the world is a whirlwind of emotions and when there’s an early arrival it can be stressful and scary. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the DMC Children’s Hospital of Michigan provides the highest level of neonatal care and, if you need them, they are there for you and your family. Dr. Girija Natarajan a neonatologist at the DMC Children’s Hospital of Michigan shares the following information for families seeking specialized care for their newborns.
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the DMC Children’s Hospital of Michigan is a Regional Level IV NICU with the capability to provide surgical repair of complex congenital or acquired conditions. The unit maintains a comprehensive range of pediatric medical and surgical subspecialists and pediatric anesthesiologists on site. NICU patients receive expert care from board-certified neonatologists and pediatric subspecialists. In addition, a team of pediatric radiologists provides advanced imaging services using kid-friendly protocols.
The NICU maintains a ratio of one nurse to one to three patients, with the highest safety standards for the most at-risk patients. The unit has dedicated respiratory therapists, pharmacist, dietician and occupational and physical therapists who work on feeding and motor skills of the neonates.
Common Reasons For NICU
- Prematurity and its complications including brain bleeds, chronic lung disease, necrotizing enterocolitis and retinopathy of prematurity
- Cardiac conditions including heart defects
- Surgical repair of complex congenital or acquired conditions such as abdominal wall defects, cleft palate and congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Children’s Hospital of Michigan’s Neonatal Neurocritical Care program is one of a kind in Metro Detroit, providing a specially trained team of neonatologists, neurologists and neurosurgeons, dedicated to providing a developmentally appropriate environment to optimize neurologic care and developmental outcomes for this highly vulnerable population. Children’s Hospital of Michigan’s NICU is a recognized leader in cooling therapy for neonatal encephalopathy and has available advanced neurodiagnostics including video EEG, near-infrared spectroscopy and non-sedate MRI.
The DMC Children’s Hospital of Michigan cares about the entire family, not just the patient. The NICU features 35 single private rooms, two double rooms, a parent zone in each room, a lactation room, and spacious family lounges that have full bathrooms, a kitchenette, and a quiet lounge. The multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses and specialists do everything they can to stay involved through your baby’s stay, ask questions, and familiarize parents with their baby’s care.
The NICU at the DMC Children’s Hospital of Michigan is an outborn unit. Babies who are born in other hospitals get referred to Children’s Hospital of Michigan for a higher level of care. Babies who enter the hospital emergency room can also be admitted due to a variety of conditions, such as jaundice, breathing difficulties, seizures, and infections.
Learn more about the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the DMC Children’s Hospital of Michigan and listen to Dr. Girija Natarajan share important information for families.
