Premature Infant Appearance in the NICU
In the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, or NICU, babies born prematurely are often admitted to the unit for critical care.  Neonatal infants are not fully developed, as prematurity involves some unique physical traits.  Parents with a premature infant will see their tiny baby, who will look very different that a full-term newborn infant.
Eyes
In extremely premature infants, it is possible for the eyelids to remain fused at birth.  In time, the eyes will open, which can be a truly unique and exciting experience for the parents.
Skin

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Infant Gestational Age in the NICU
When an infant is born, their gestational age is calculated by the total mount of time in utero, or inside the mother’s uterus.  The neonatal intensive care unit will often admit premature babies, also called preemies or preterm infants.
So what exactly defines a premature gestational age?  The following gestations are a general guideline for prematurity:

Premature – Under 37 weeks gestation.  Infants with a gestational age of 36 weeks and below are considered premature.
Term – Anywhere from 37 weeks to 42 weeks gestation.
Post Term – Any …

NICU Infant Weights
An infant in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, or NICU, has their weight measured on a daily basis.  An infant or premature baby’s weight is an important number to know, as it can affect everything from diet and nutrition to medications.
Neonatologists and Pediatricians will carefully monitor an NICU infant’s weight to determine the best possible care plan.  Many parents with babies in the NICU generally expect to see a weight in pounds.  However, in the NICU, the common measurement used is actually in grams.   Measuring in grams is a far more …

What are the causes of birth defects?  What causes birth defects to occur?  These are common questions asked by parents who are expecting a baby with a congenital birth defect.  There can be many reasons why birth defects happen, but the actual causes of birth defects generally are unknown.
Parents seeking the cause of their infant’s birth defect are often left with many questions unanswered.  This can lead to frustration, because it can leave them questioning many of their actions and events during pregnancy.  Other times, however, the resulting birth defect can be pin-pointed, …

What is a birth injury? A birth injury is also known as birth trauma, which consists of an injury that occurs during birth, usually while the infant is in the birth canal.  There are a number of reasons a birth injury may occur, with the results varying from mild to severe.
It is hard to predict when a birth injury may occur, and for parents, it can be a very worrisome and stressful event.  Depending on the severity of the birth injury, the infant may be admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit …

Congenital birth defects refer to health problems present at the time of a baby’s birth.  These can be visible, physical abnormalities, or they can be internal birth defects, related to the infant’s overall health.  Congenital birth defects can be diagnosed during pregnancy, though it is not uncommon to discover them at the time of birth.  The term “congenital” simply means present at birth.
The severity of a congenital birth defect can vary from mild to severe.  An infant with a mild birth defect may appear as a normal newborn baby would, …

Breastfeeding a premature baby at home, after it has been in the NICU, will often be very similar to how it was in the hospital.  Many parents come home with the expectations that breastfeeding will progress into that of a newborn baby very quickly.  This is not always the case.
It is common in NICUs to send premature babies home a week or two before their original birth date.  A 31-week preterm infant could, in theory, be sent home healthy at around 38 weeks, still 2 weeks early!  Because of this, it …

Neonatal acne, also referred to as acne neonatorum, in an infant or newborn baby can be a concern for many first time parents.  Neonatal acne is a common condition that affects nearly 20% of all newborn babies.  While the initial onset of the baby pimples can be alarming, they are actually quite harmless, and disappear in a matter of weeks.
Neonatal acne can occur when the baby’s sebaceous glands are stimulated by the mother’s hormones after birth.  The sebaceous glands are glands found most commonly in the face and scalp, and …

A neonatal MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, is a diagnostic imaging procedure that utilizes a combination of a computer, radio frequencies, and a magnet to generate detailed images of organs and other inner-body structures.  When performed on premature infants, a neonatal MRI can help map certain areas of the brain, brain stem and spinal cord.
A neonatal MRI is done in a room designed specifically for the exam, much like a CT scan.  An infant who is undergoing an MRI will need to be sedated, to prevent movement.  It is necessary …

A neonatal CT scan, which is short for computerized tomography, and also known as a CAT scan, is a diagnostic imaging procedure that can be used on all parts of an infant’s body.  A neonatal CT scan uses a combination of x-ray and computer technology to generate images called cross-sectional images, or slices.  This can be done in either a horizontal or vertical manner.  Neonatal CT scans are very detailed images that have the ability to give physicians and medical staff a very clear view on the inner workings of an …