NICU room or neonatal intensive care unit is an intensive care room in a hospital specially provided for newborns with health problems. Generally, babies are admitted to the NICU in the first 24 hours after birth.
The length of treatment in the NICU varies, depending on the condition of each baby. The more serious the health problems experienced, the longer the baby will be treated in the NICU. The reasons why babies need to be cared for in the NICU also vary, of course the goal is so that the little one gets intensive supervision and care
Reasons Why Babies Must Enter the NICU
After birth, the baby can no longer depend solely on the mother as when it was in the womb. Babies must quickly adapt to the environment and begin to use their internal organs independently.
Unfortunately, not all babies can adapt quickly and are born in healthy conditions, thus requiring medical attention. Here are some reasons why newborns should enter the NICU:
- Babies born prematurely, ie before entering the 37th week.
- Babies have problems during labor.
- Babies show signs of health problems at birth.
- Babies born with low body weight, which is less than 2500 grams or above 4000 grams.
In addition to some of the causes above, there are other factors that can increase the risk of a baby entering the NICU after birth, namely:
mother factor
The risk of the baby to enter the NICU after birth can be influenced by the condition and health history of the mother. Here are the conditions that affect it:
- Giving birth at the age of less than 16 years or over 40 years.
- Have a history of alcohol or drug addiction.
- Have a history of diabetes, hypertension, or sexually transmitted diseases.
- Excess or lack of amniotic fluid.
- The amniotic fluid breaks faster.
- Experiencing bleeding.
- Give birth to twins.
baby factor
The baby's risk to enter the NICU is also influenced by the condition and health of the baby after birth. Infant conditions that require NICU treatment include:
- Having a birth defect.
- Suffering from respiratory problems.
- Having seizures.
- Have hypoglycemia.
- Requires oxygen supply, intravenous drip, medication, or blood transfusion.
- Having an infection, such as herpes, B streptococcus, or chlamydia.
Labor factor
A number of labor factors that put a baby at risk for admission to the NICU are:
- Baby born breech.
- Fetal distress occurs (the baby is deprived of oxygen).
- The occurrence of meconium removal disorders (the baby passes his first stool in the amniotic fluid).
- The baby's neck is wrapped around the umbilical cord.
Conditions in the NICU
The NICU room is a sterile area that cannot be entered by just anyone. Each hospital has a different policy regarding the number and hours of parent visits to the NICU. However, all hospitals must provide soap or water hand sanitizer to ensure that visiting guests are sterile.
In general, the condition of the NICU room is very quiet because the babies in it are very sensitive to sound and light. The babies who are treated are also usually in the incubator to keep their body temperature stable.
The NICU room is equipped with several medical devices to make the baby feel comfortable, including:
1. Baby warmer
This tool serves to maintain the baby's body temperature to remain stable. This tool is usually attached to the bed.
2. NICU Incubator
This tool resembles a small bed covered by hard plastic. This tool is equipped with a heater to maintain the baby's body temperature.
3. Feeding hose
This device is inserted into the baby's stomach through the mouth or nose to deliver food, breast milk, and other nutrients that the baby needs.
4. Fototherapy
This device is used to lower bilirubin levels that are too high, which causes jaundice. This condition usually occurs in babies born prematurely.
5. Vventilator
This tool serves to help the baby's breathing. This device is connected to the baby using a thin tube that is inserted into the nose or mouth.
6. Monitor
All babies in the NICU are connected to monitors to monitor their condition. Medical signs will appear through this monitor.
Doctors and Medical Staff in the NICU Ruang
A number of medical devices in the NICU room are only used according to the needs of each baby. The medical device is operated by the officers in charge of the NICU room. These officers include:
- Pediatrician, a neonatologist who specializes in treating newborns.
- A special nurse in charge of accompanying and monitoring the baby's condition.
- Additional staff, such as radiographers to operate the echocardiogram or X-rays, lab staff, and physiotherapists.
- Doctors with related specialties to help with care according to the needs of babies in the NICU.
The existence of the NICU room is very important to help newborns who have health problems. The actions taken by doctors and nurses on duty in the NICU greatly affect the survival of the babies in it.
If your baby is forced into the NICU, make sure you get as much information as possible from the doctors and nurses on duty. Ask for information about the procedure performed, the treatment being undertaken, to the development of your baby's health from time to time.