Neonatology

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Welcome note from the NICU Physicians and Nurses

Dear Parents,

Congratulations on the birth of your baby. We share your joy in the arrival of your baby, but we also understand that this is a time of stress for you and your family. Please be assured that your baby will receive the best possible care at Kanad Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Whatever the situation that you are facing, you are not alone, the Neonatal staff are there to help you at all times.

We want you to know that your child is loved, not only by the doctors and nurses but by his Creator. As doctors and nurses, we do everything we can to provide the necessary medical care to your baby, alleviate your stress and make sure that you have all the information you need to navigate through this tricky period.

Please do not underestimate how important your role is in ensuring that your baby gets the best possible start in life. We want you to know that everything you are feeling is normal. We want you to know that all the ups and downs are okay. We want you to know that you’re doing the best you can, and that is enough. Every day is a roller coaster in the NICU, and roller coasters come with many emotions. Let yourself feel all of them. Don’t try to bottle yourself up, let yourself feel everything.

You will always be at the very heart of your baby’s care. We want you to know that it’s okay to ask questions and lots of them. If you don’t understand something that is happening, ask a question. When you feel concerned about something, ask a question. When you are nervous about something, ask a question. It is your baby and you have the right to know every detail about what is going on.

This web page is designed to give you an insight into what to expect in the hospital, explain some of the things you may encounter, and make sure you are best equipped to deal with the common challenges you’re likely to face. We hope you find it useful in guiding you through your baby’s hospital stay and the days and months afterward. The more effectively we can work together as healthcare professionals and parents, the better outcomes we’ll achieve for premature and sick babies.

Caring for newborn babies

Sometimes, a baby has difficulty making the transition from the womb into the world. Our bright and spacious NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) offers specialized, round-the-clock care for critically ill newborns, premature babies or babies in need of surgery or cardiology services. We know that having your baby rushed to intensive care can be very stressful for you. We are committed to providing compassionate care for you and your child before, during and after birth. Parents are welcome to stay with their baby as long as they want, day and night.

Which babies need special care?

Most babies admitted to the NICU are premature (born before 37 weeks of pregnancy), have low birth weight or have a medical condition that requires special care. They are usually babies who haven’t gone home yet from the hospital after being born. Twins, triplets and other multiples are often admitted to the NICU as they tend to be born earlier and smaller than singleton babies. Babies with medical conditions such as heart problems, infections, or birth defects are also cared for in our NICU.

How do we help?

Our NICU is fully equipped to international standards and offers in collaboration with other departments at KanadHospital, highly specialized medical and surgical care for babies with complex diseases. Our NICU has over 20 beds and offers isolation spaces to prevent the spread of infections.

Visit

Due to the pandemic, only parents are allowed to enter the NICU.
Please do not visit if you are feeling unwell or have symptoms of illness such as fever, cold, cough, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash.

Who can visit your baby in NICU?

Please provide us with both parent’s Emirates ID or passport when your baby is admitted to the NICU. Copies will be taken, one to be kept in an infant’s file and one copy to be given to NICU security staff and to be kept in a lockable cabinet.

The above copies of the parents’ IDs kept with the NICU security staff will be shredded when the baby is discharged from the NICU.

When can you visit your baby?

Parents are allowed to visit their infants at any time, 24/7.

You are welcome at any time, but it may be best to visit when your baby is awake. Between feeds, your baby needs undisturbed sleep to rest and grow. You can call your baby’s nurse and ask about the best times to visit.

As your baby’s condition improves, you may be asked to visit at feeding times or at bath times so that you can learn how to care for your baby.

Guidance on visiting your baby

Please take photographs of your baby but avoid video and do not include others without their permission.
Please avoid using cell phones for calls in the NICU.
Food and drink are not allowed inside the NICU.
Please remain at the bedside of your baby to protect the privacy of other families.
An update of the infant’s condition can only be provided to the infant’s parents. Grandparents can be provided with general information only. Friends are not given any information unless specifically requested by the parents and for a reason.

Protecting your baby from infection

Anybody with the following conditions will not be allowed into the NICU:

Fever
Respiratory infection (cough or runny nose)
Diarrhea
Any communicable disease (or exposure to)
Any infections with draining wounds
Any red spots (show to the Charge nurse)

Please use the main entrance where the security staff is located. Please note that the two side doors in the NICU can only be used for exiting or moving patients.

Wash your hands at the sink in the NICU main entrance before entering the patient area.

Please wear a gown when holding your baby or roll up your sleeves and wash your hands and forearms up to the elbow when touching your baby inside the incubator.

NICU Security staff will assist all staff and visitors when entering the NICU by opening the doors leading to the main patient care area

Quiet Times

Quiet time is from 12.00 to 15.00h and from 24.00 to 03.00h. This helps babies grow and develop.

During quiet time:

Lights are dimmed to a safe level and blinds are closed. Eye covers are worn by infants if possible.
Noise is reduced to a minimum including talking.
Only urgent procedures and activities of daily living are performed.

Special certification program for RDS of Prematurity

Striving for excellence: Joint Commission International Clinical Care Program certification

Respiratory Distress Syndrome of Prematurity (RDS) Program

Kanad Hospital is striving to provide excellent care for the support of breathing in premature babies. The Respiratory Distress Syndrome of Prematurity (RDS) Program at Kanad Hospital is specifically designed for our multidisciplinary team to deliver family-centered, high-quality care, using the latest research, and the newest technology, to our tiniest babies.

All babies born at less than 34 weeks gestation who need more than 2 days of breathing support are automatically enrolled into the RDS Program. A comprehensive program like this is vital to the long-term survival and health of our most vulnerable patients.

Resources for parents
Respiratory distress syndrome of the newborn (RDS)
Respiratory complications
Chronic lung disease
Pneumothorax
Apnea of prematurity
Non-respiratory complications
Retinopathy of prematurity
Intraventricular hemorrhage
Necrotizing enterocolitis
Respiratory support modalities
Surfactant therapy
Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO)
Other lung diseases of the newborn
Transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN)
Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN)

Planning to go Home

Before baby goes home, we will discuss with you some of the following:

Vaccination

- Caring for your baby after vaccination
- Pediatric vaccines
Jaundice discharge instructions

Prevention of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Transient tachypnea of the newborn discharge instructions
Safe sleep
Car seat safety
How to make infant formula
How to recognize the signs of illness
Is my baby fit to fly?
Follow-up appointments

Results of the screening tests

- Newborn blood screening
- Hearing screening
- Screening for critical congenital heart disease
- Screening for retinopathy of prematurity
Screening for intraventricular hemorrhage
Screening for anemia of prematurity
Screening for metabolic bone disease

Working Hours