Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU)
Specialist care for premature and unwell newborns, on the same site as our maternity service, at Mother and Child Fountain of Life Specialist Hospital in Nnewi.
Our newborn unit cares for babies who need closer support than a postnatal ward provides - those born preterm, of low birth weight, with jaundice requiring treatment, breathing difficulty, infection or feeding problems.
Care is led by our paediatrician with nursing staff experienced in newborn care, and includes monitoring, thermal support, assisted feeding, phototherapy and treatment of infection.
Being in the same building as the maternity service matters: a baby needing support at birth is cared for without transfer, and parents stay close.
What the process involves
- Assessment at birth - Every baby is assessed immediately after delivery.
- Admission if needed - Babies requiring support are admitted to the newborn unit.
- Specialist care - Monitoring, thermal support, feeding support, phototherapy and treatment as required.
- Parental involvement - Parents are kept close and involved in care.
- Discharge planning - Feeding, growth and follow-up arranged before discharge.
Common questions
We keep parents as close as clinical circumstances allow and involve you in your baby’s care.
Prematurity, low birth weight, jaundice, breathing difficulty, infection and feeding problems, among others. Babies needing care beyond our unit are referred appropriately.