NICU and Underage Visitors
So what does ‘underage’ precisely mean in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit? While it may vary from unit to unit, generally it means anyone under the age of 18. Some NICUs will define this as 12 years of age and under. With the exception of siblings of the infant, many NICUs will not allow any children under the age of 18 visitation privileges.
The reasons are mainly three-fold:
- Children under the age of 18 have immune systems that have not quite completely adapted to all the bacteria and viruses out in the everyday environment. This leads to the stronger likelihood they can easily contract illness, thus making it a higher probability to get the infant sick.
- Many children under 18 have not had their complete set of vaccinations yet. This risks the NICU infant to exposure to very harmful diseases and illnesses.
- Children in this age range are constantly around other children of similar ranges who share risk factors 1 and 2. This creates even further risk that the child visiting the NICU is more likely to pass on something to the infant.
While it is not the same as seeing a baby in person, videos and pictures can help friends and family under the age of 18 share the NICU experience.
NICU Visitation and Flu Season
Flu and RSV season may impose further restrictions on visitation by underage visitors, which can include siblings as well. Because influenza, including the swine flu, and RSV are so commonplace among children of school age, they are usually asked not to visit the NICU in fear of them easily passing on a virus.
It is best to heed these restrictions, as influenza and related illnesses pass very easily from one person to another, especially infants in the NICU.
Updated: June 2011
