A neonatal head ultrasound is a test that provides images of an infant’s brain.  A neonatal head ultrasound can be performed on a baby until the fontanel, which is the soft spot on the top of the baby’s head, closes.  This is one of the best ways to view a baby’s brain in the early stages of life. 
Often, neonatal head ultrasounds are used to identify intraventricular hemorrhages, or brain bleeds.  These can be serious and life threatening if left untreated.  Intraventricular hemorrhages are found most commonly in premature infants, especially under …

NICU
Cor Pulmonale in Infancy
Cor Pulmonale is defined as when the right side of the heart fails to function properly, usually as a result of long-term blood pressure in the right side of the heart, as well as the pulmonary arteries.  The right side of the heart normally functions by pumping blood at a lower blood pressure, when compared to the left side of the heart, which pumps blood to the rest of the body at a higher pressure.  When a condition increases the blood pressure rate of the right side …

If my baby is in the NICU, can I sign my initials to verify a nurse’s lab specimen collection of my infant’s blood, etc.?  For most NICUs, the answer would be yes.  When a nurse draws blood, or another type of specimen, they are required to initial the lab label, which has the baby’s name, type of lab to be done, and patient identity numbers.  It may also include an area to enter the date and time the specimen was collected.  A nurse will fill this information out and sign it …

A mom eagerly scrubs up and walks into the NICU to see her baby. The precious little one has been in the NICU for two weeks, and today she is graduating to an open crib!  The mom approaches her baby’s bed, and the nurse tells her she has been waiting for her so they can move the baby into the crib together!
After the exciting ‘graduation’, the mom quickly pulls out her cell phone to make a quick call to dad telling him the wonderful news!  Only  the nurse stops her right as …

Neonatal ICU – NICU
Can I Watch My Baby’s Blood Being Drawn?
This is a tricky question, because some NICUs have policies on this and others are more lenient.  As a parent, you are already overly worried about your infant being in the NICU, and there is nothing wrong with wanting to be at the bedside when your baby’s labs are drawn. 
Typically, the NICU staff prefers parents to wait outside the unit, or out of view of their baby’s bed.  The reason for this is that parents can unintentionally become a distraction.  …

Apnea Alarm Going Off in the NICU
A scary moment for any first time NICU parent is when the apnea alarm goees off on their baby’s monitor.  Insitinctive concern and worry floods all emotions and thought, and the natural reaction is to jump into action to protect their baby.  After all, something is clearly wrong, right?  If the apnea alarm sounded, something is different than the norm.
This is not always the case.  Apnea can be defined as extended periods of time when an infant does not breathe.  Sometimes as long as …

Neonatal ICU
Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD)
Adrenoleukodystrophy, or ALD, is a genetic disorder that causes damage to the myelin sheath, which is a membrane that surrounds the brain’s nerve cells.  Infants and adults who suffer from ALD build up high levels of saturated, very long chain fatty acids (VLCFA) in the brain and and adrenal cortex because they lack the ability to break these fats down.  There is an enzyme produced to break these fats down, and people with ALD have a defiency of this enzyme.  With decreasing myelin and a poor functioning adrenal …

Parents anticipating a premature baby have much to think about.  Knowing what to expect with a premature baby and a preterm delivery can help parents prepare for their upcoming  NICU experience.  In a preterm delivery, NICU staff will be present with the Labor and Delivery staff.  This higher amount of hospital staff is crucial to attending to the critical needs of the baby.
For parents expecting a preterm delivery, in the delivery room you will likely see the OB, Labor and Delivery Nurse, a scrub tech, a NICU Neonatologist or Practitioner, a NICU nurse, …

What do Preemies Need?
Premature babies, or ‘preemies’ in the NICU are defined by being born under 37 weeks gestational age.  The severity of the conditions associated with prematurity vary from infant to infant, but the risk for comlpications increases with lower gesational ages, and lower birth weights.
Preemie babies have different needs than those of a normal newborn infant.  Because of the special care they require, premature babies often are admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where their unique needs can be met.
The NICU will provide the preemie the …

Cost of Cord Blood Banking
Cord blood banking cost usually has two distinct fees.  The first fee is for the intial deposit, which includes enrollment, collection of the umbillical cord blood, and storage.  This initial cost usually ranges anywhere from $900 to $2100 and up.
The second cost for cord blood banking is an annual fee, usually in the $100 range.
While the cost for cord blood banking may seem expensive, many cord blood storage banks will offer initial discounts, prepaid plans, or even payment plans in order to accomodate parents. This allows …