Neonatal Intensive Care

Virtua's neonatal intensive care program provides advanced medical care for very small or premature babies. We deliver state-of-the-art care in a warm, quiet, protected place where babies can heal, eat, sleep, and grow.

Why do babies need neonatal intensive care?

Babies often are admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Virtua Voorhees Hospital or the special care nursery (SCN) at Virtua Mount Holly or Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospitals for the following:

• Your baby is born prematurely (happens in about 10% of all births and is common in multiple births).
• You have a pregnancy-related medical problem that puts your newborn at risk for developing a medical condition (such as a uterine infection when you deliver).
• Your newborn shows signs of breathing problems or other transition difficulties in the first few days of life (such as issues with blood sugar control, feeding problems, or temperature regulation).

The NICU differs from the SCN in that it provides the highest level of intensive care to very sick infants. The SCN delivers specialized care for infants with less severe medical problems.

Who's treating my baby in the NICU or SCN?

The NICU and SCN are staffed by teams of skilled healthcare professionals who work with you to provide your baby the highest level of care. This includes:

• Neonatologists: Board-certified pediatricians with advanced (fellowship) training to provide intensive care for newborns with special medical needs
• Pediatricians
• Pediatric sub-specialists: Pediatricians with specialized training in other fields, including pediatric surgery, pediatric cardiology, pediatric neurology, pediatric otolaryngology (ENT), and pediatric urology
• Staff nurses
• Clinical nurse specialists
• Neonatal nurse practitioners: Registered nurses with advanced training in intensive care of newborns with special medical needs
• Respiratory therapists: Certified therapists who evaluate and treat newborns with breathing problems
• X-ray technicians
• Social workers: Counselors trained to help families adjust to the emotional and practical demands of newborns with special challenges. These individuals assist with discharge, housing, transportation, and financial arrangements.
• Case managers/discharge planners: Registered nurses who follow your infant's progress from admission to discharge. Other responsibilities include family support, insurance issues, nursing visits, and more.
• Lactation consultants: Experienced, board-certified breastfeeding experts who help you overcome breastfeeding challenges and who offer encouragement and helpful tips
• Occupational therapists: Licensed occupational therapists who help you bond with your baby and help your baby meet developmental milestones while in the NICU or SCN
• Speech therapists: Licensed speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who help your baby feed if they have difficulty breastfeeding or taking a bottle. They also do swallowing evaluations.
• Neonatal dietitians: Registered dietitians with specialized training in neonatal nutrition needs and helping infants grow and thrives in the NICU/SCN

Can I visit my baby in the NICU or SCN?

In addition to intensive medical care, hospitalized babies benefit from love and attention from their families. To keep our tiniest patients safe, please refer to the Neonatal and Special Care Nursery section of our Visitor Policy for the latest guidelines on visitation, as they change frequently due to flu activity and other factors. Please also note the visitor requirements section on this page.

Neonatal Intensive Care at Virtua

Our dedicated staff clearly communicates what's happening during your baby's NICU or SCN stay. We listen with care and compassion and answer any questions about your child's health and care.

When your baby is in our care, you can expect the following:

The highest level of neonatal intensive care

• Our multidisciplinary team is led by CHOP at Virtua, board-certified neonatologists who provide complex care to the tiniest and sickest babies.
• We provide the most advanced respiratory support, electronic monitoring, and leading-edge therapies for critically ill and extremely small babies (babies weighing less than 2 pounds) in our Small Baby Unit at Virtua Voorhees Hospital.
• Our team uses developmental care to provide a womb-like environment for your baby. We keep the lights dim and the nursery quiet and use special blankets and bumpers to position your baby.
• Consultations are provided by CHOP at Virtua pediatric sub-specialists, including cardiology, surgery, neurology, ophthalmology, ENT, and urology.
• After infants leave the NICU or SCN, we collaborate with community pediatricians to provide follow-up care for high-risk infants.

Neurodevelopmental follow-up program

All babies born at or before 32 weeks are referred to our neurodevelopmental follow-up program. Visits begin at 3 months of adjusted age (3 months from your baby's actual due date) with periodic visits up to age 2.

Babies are seen by a developmental psychologist and a neonatologist who assess neurological development, such as cognitive and motor function. Reports are shared with your baby's pediatrician so concerns can be addressed quickly.