The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is essential to the survival of many premature and sick infants. However, beeping monitors, ventilators, and alarms can make it difficult for NICU babies to sleep. The layout of a NICU can also influence noise level. The open-bay model, in which multiple infants are kept in one room, has...
How Does Noise Affect the Health of NICU Babies?
When a baby requires care after birth, they will be transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, or the NICU. A baby may require a NICU stay if they were born prematurely, had problems during delivery, or experienced complications after birth. The cost of a NICU stay depends on a number of factors including duration,...
Premature babies often have numerous health problems, and require extensive, costly treatments (1). Their underdeveloped organs and general fragility make them especially susceptible to birth injuries, infections, and other neonatal complications. In the United States, 70% of premature births occur between weeks 34 and 36 of pregnancy, or the “late preterm period” (2) These infants...
Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), previously called hyaline membrane disease (HMD), is a newborn health condition characterized by breathing difficulty. It occurs when a baby’s body does not produce enough of a lung-lubricating substance called surfactant. Babies with RDS have trouble expanding their lungs, which can make it difficult for them to take in oxygen and...
It is well known that returning soldiers often develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition marked by flashbacks to a trauma, hyperalertness, avoidance of situations that trigger upsetting memories, and negative emotions such as guilt or shame. However, fewer people know that parents commonly experience similar symptoms after their babies stay in the neonatal intensive...
Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and basal ganglia brain injury are often caused by the baby receiving insufficient oxygen during or near the time of birth. HIE and basal ganglia brain damage can cause a baby to have long-term conditions such as cerebral palsy, seizures and developmental delays....
Exercise may protect babies from the harmful effects of preeclampsia & high blood pressure, both of which can cause birth injuries if mismanaged Preeclampsia and high blood pressure during pregnancy are very serious conditions that, if mismanaged, can cause a baby to have brain damage and birth injuries such as cerebral palsy. High blood...