The NICU room or the neonatal intensive care unit is an intensive care room in a hospital reserved specifically for newborns with health problems. Generally, babies are inserted into the NICU room during the first 24 hours after birth.
The length of treatment in the NICU room varies, depending on the condition of each baby. The more serious the health problem is, the longer he will be in the NICU room.There are many reasons why babies need to be treated in the NICU room, but basically aim to get the Supervisory and care intensive.
Reasons Why Infants Should Enter NICU Space
After birth, the baby can no longer just depend on the mother as when in the womb. The baby should quickly adapt to the environment and begin to use internal organs independently. Unfortunately, not all babies can adapt quickly and are born in healthy conditions, thus requiring medical help.
Here are some reasons why newborns should enter the NICU room, including:
- Babies born prematurely , ie before entering the 37th week.
- The baby has problems during labor.
- Babies show signs of health problems at birth.
- Babies born with low weight , ie less than 2500 grams or above 4000 grams.
In addition to some of the above, there are several other factors that can increase the risk of infants entering the NICU space after birth, namely:
- Maternal factors
Mothers often use illegal drugs or consume alcohol, have a history of diabetes, hypertension, or sexually transmitted diseases, aged less than 16 years or over 40 years, have advantages or disadvantages of amniotic fluid , ruptured amniotic fluid faster, bleeding , or twin born babies. - Baby factor
Babies experiencing birth defects, respiratory problems, seizures, hypoglycemia , needing oxygen supply, infusion, medication, or blood transfusion, infants have infections such as herpes, streptococcus B , and chlamydia. - Labor factors
Babies born breech , fetal distress (oxygen deficiency), meconium discharges (babies throw first droppings in amniotic fluid), or baby's neck wrapped around the umbilical cord.
Conditions in the Space NICU
The NICU room is a sterile area that can not be accessed by just anyone. Each hospital has different policies regarding the number and hours of parent visits to the NICU room.However, all hospitals must provide soap or hand sanitizer to ensure that guests visiting in sterile conditions.
In general, NICU space conditions are very quiet because the babies in them are very sensitive to sound and light. The babies in the NICU room are usually inside the incubator to keep the body temperature steady.
The NICU room is equipped with several medical devices to make babies feel comfortable, including:
- Baby warming
This tool serves to keep baby's body temperature to remain stable. This tool is usually attached to the bed.
- NICU Incubator
This incubator resembles a small bed covered by hard plastic. This tool is equipped with warmers to keep baby's body temperature.
- Food Hose |
This tool is inserted into the baby's stomach through the mouth or nose to distribute food, breast milk, and other nutrients the baby needs.
- Phototherapy
This tool is used to lower the level of bilirubin is too high, as a cause of yellow baby .Usually this condition occurs in babies born prematurely.
- Ventilator
This tool serves to help the baby's breathing. This tool is connected to the baby by using a thin tube inserted into the nose or mouth.
- Monitor
All babies in the NICU room are connected to the monitor to monitor their condition.Medical signs will appear through this monitor.
Doctor and Medical Staff at NICU Room
A number of medical devices in the NICU room are used only according to the needs of every baby. The medical device is operated by responsible officers in the NICU room.The officers include:
- Pediatrician neonatologist who has the skills to handle newborns.
- Special nurse who served to assist and monitor the condition of the baby.
- Additional staff, such as radiographers to operate an echocardiogram or X-ray photograph, lab officer, or physiotherapist.
- Doctors with related specialties to help with the baby's needs at the NICU.
The presence of NICU space is essential to help newborns with health problems. The actions performed by physicians and nurses assigned in NICU spaces greatly affect the survival of the babies in them.
If your baby is forced into the NICU room, make sure you get as much information as possible from doctors and nurses. Includes information on the procedures performed as well as care for your baby.
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