The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is part of the Pediatrics Department, specializing in high quality care for sick and premature newborns. The NICU, consisting of three subunits, is located on Floor 5 of Al Seef Hospital.

The NICU provides care for medically unstable or critically ill newborns, as well as preterm infants with a birth weight of more than 1000g and a gestational age of more than 30 weeks. The NICU ensures strict infection control measures and practices according to the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Evidence Based Medicine

NICU services

NICU services consist of three subunits:

• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
• Isolation Unit
• Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU)

The NICU provides third level neonatal care and can admit up to six newborn babies at a time. We work 24 hours a day with neonatologists, specially trained neonatal nurses, and the best life support equipment available. The skilled NICU team is trained in a wide variety of techniques for supporting neonates with respiratory distress (including surfactant administration), asphyxia, seizures, meconium aspiration syndrome, hyperbilirubinaemia, infection, etc. We also provide respiratory support with both conventional mechanical ventilation and nasal CPAP as noninvasive ventilation support. We look forward to advancing our facilities with HFOV (High Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation) and inhaled NO (nitric oxide). The NICU also supports minor surgical procedures such as the placement of umbilical venous and arterial catheters, exchange transfusions, and pneumothorax drainage.

Special Care Baby Unit

The Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) serves as a “step down” unit for the Intensive Care Unit and can admit up to five babies at a time. The SCBU admits ill infants requiring less frequent nursing care but continuous monitoring by personnel and equipment.

Isolation Unit

The Isolation Unit is designed for babies with infection as well as babies born outside an Al Seef Hospital labor room. The isolation room ventilation system is engineered to have negative air pressure with 100% air exchange, and to meet acoustic standards for infant rooms. We also have the necessary facilities to admit two newborns at the same time, with complete respiratory support available, including mechanical ventilation.

We also provide:

• Modern and highly sophisticated equipment and technology(cardiorespiratory monitors, blood saturation monitors, infusion pumps, and photo lamps) to give every at-risk newborn the best possible care.
• The best thermal management treatment with high quality warmers and incubators.
• The best possible life support equipment for to decrease the risk of lung damage as much as possible.
• Nutritional service specialized for term and preterm babies.
• Continual monitoring of neurological status, including seizure detection.
• Identification and prediction of outcome in babies with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy.
• Early detection of intracranial bleeding and brain problems.
• Hearing screening.
• Eye screening for all preterm babies.
• Effective and mobile transport with highly skilled nurses and doctors.
• Cameras on each NICU baby, so you can follow your baby from your room.
• Friendly environment for your baby with most advanced pain control management.

We know:

• The hospitalization of a newborn child is a stressful experience.
• But: We make every effort to provide a friendly environment for your baby.
• With this in mind: We are always available for your support.
• We do not just care for your baby—we are also committed to caring for you and your family.