World Nursing Education

Neonatal Intensive Care

Neonatal nurses specialize in working with the youngest patients. Neonatal nursing focuses on providing care and support for new-born babies delivered prematurely or who are suffering from health problems such as birth defects, infections, or heart deformities. Many neonatal nurses work in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) providing specialized medical care to at-risk newborns. Neonatal nurses employ medical techniques, including the use of incubators. Essentially, the incubator provides proper heat, humidity, oxygen, and mist... and protection from infection. The medical apparatus provides essential medical care for at-risk new-borns. A dysmature newborn  is one whose developmental level is poor at birth. These newborns require a special type of care, due to their health issues, such as: Inadequate respiratory function, Poor control of body temperature, Increased tendency to bleed, Poor resistance to infection, Poor nutrition, Immature kidneys and skin, Jaundice