Understanding NICU Levels

At Lurie Children’s, we understand that having a baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) can be an overwhelming and emotional experience. Our team is here to provide the highest quality care and support for your baby and your family.   

What is the NICU? 

Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) are specialized hospital units that provide intensive care for premature or ill newborns who need extra medical attention. At Lurie Children’s, our NICU is a Level IV facility (per American Academy for Pediatrics) expertise and comprehensive resources available to treat the smallest and sickest babies. 

Our NICUs take specialized and evidence-based approaches to diagnosing and treating critically ill newborns. Below are some of the conditions we treat:

• Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD)/Chronic Lung Disease (CLD)
• Cerebral Aneurysm
• Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy
• Meconium Aspiration Syndrome
• Necrotizing Enterocolitis
• Neonatal Sepsis
• Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension
• Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus (PHH)
• Respiratory Distress Syndrome

NICU Care Levels 

There are four levels of NICU care, each offering different types and intensities of medical services based on the specific needs of the newborn.  

Level I (Well-Baby Nursery) 

Level I NICUs, also known as Well-Baby Nurseries, provide basic care for healthy, full-term babies. They offer: 

• Routine newborn care, including feeding, bathing, and monitoring vital signs.
• Stabilization and care for infants born at 35-37 weeks who are considered to be physiologically stable.
• Basic resuscitation and the ability to provide care for infants who may require a brief period of extra observation.
• The medical care team typically includes pediatricians, nurses and lactation consultants. 

Level II (Special Care Nursery) 

Level II NICUs, or Special Care Nurseries, provide intermediate care for babies who are born prematurely (at least 32 weeks gestation and weighing more than 1500g) 

• Advanced respiratory support such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and intravenous medications or short term (less than 24 hour) conventional ventilation.
• Care for infants who require more than routine newborn care but are not critically ill.
• Feeding support, including tube feeding for babies who are unable to feed by mouth.
• The medical care team includes neonatologists, specialized nurses, respiratory therapists and nutritionists. 

Level III NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) 

Level III NICUs provide comprehensive care for infants born before 32 weeks gestation and weighing less than 1500g as well as infants born at all gestational ages and birth weights with critical illnesses: 

• Comprehensive care for infants with severe or complex illnesses and those requiring sustained life support.
• Advanced respiratory support, including mechanical ventilation.
• Specialized procedures, such as surgery, for congenital conditions or severe health issues.
• The medical care team includes neonatologists, pediatric surgeons, specialized nurses, respiratory therapists and other pediatric subspecialists. 

Level IV NICU (Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) 

Level IV NICUs, also known as Regional NICUs, provide the highest level of care for the most critically ill newborns. They offer: 

• All services provided by Level III NICUs, plus the capability to perform advanced surgical procedures, including ECMO.
• Care for infants with complex and rare medical conditions requiring multi-disciplinary care.
• Transport services for critically ill newborns from other hospitals.
• The medical care team includes a wide range of pediatric subspecialists, including neonatologists, pediatric surgeons, cardiologists, neurologists and others, along with specialized nurses and therapists. 

Lurie Children's Level IV NICU 

At Lurie Children's, our Level IV NICU provides the highest level of care for newborns with critical and complex medical conditions. Our state-of-the-art facilities and experienced medical team are dedicated to providing comprehensive, compassionate care for your baby. 

• We offer advanced surgical procedures, specialized treatments, and round-the-clock monitoring.
• Our NICU is equipped with the latest technology to support and treat premature and critically ill infants.
• Our multidisciplinary team includes neonatologists, pediatric surgeons, cardiologists, neurologists, specialized nurses, respiratory therapists and other pediatric specialists.
• We provide a family-centered care approach, ensuring that parents and families are supported and involved in every step of their baby's care journey. 

We are committed to providing the best possible outcomes for our smallest and most vulnerable patients. If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact our NICU team. 

Learn more about Lurie Children's Neonatal Intensive Care Units

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