Neonatology

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) provides comprehensive care to critically ill newborns. Neonatologists supervise around-the-clock care of these infants. A full complement of experienced nurses, neonatal nurse practitioners and respiratory therapists staffs the 20-bed unit.

On-site consultation and expertise is provided by pediatric medicine and pediatric surgery subspecialists. These subspecialists contribute to the management of sick neonates with complex medical problems requiring inhalational nitric oxide therapy, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), general and cardiac surgery, and organ transplantation.

The NICU’s focus is to meet the needs of the entire family. The staff is sensitive to the family and the developmental needs of the infant. Communication on the progress of newborns is provided by the neonatologists to referring physicians on an ongoing basis to maintain continuity of care in preparation for discharge.

For more information, see Critical Care Medicine; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation; Transplantation Programs; Surgery; and Cardiothoracic Surgery.

Education and Training Program

One of the most important goals of the Division of Newborn Medicine is to provide the best training possible to the next generation of pediatricians. As part of that mission, the division offers a fellowship program in neonatal-perinatal medicine that combines rigorous clinical training with a mentored research experience.  

Research Program

The Division of Newborn Medicine maintains several active research programs, from National Institutes of Health-funded basic research to collaborative, multi-center clinical trials. Current areas of investigation include respiratory muscle function and fatigue, brain blood flow and its relation to brain injury in premature infants, chronic lung disease, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Referral Requirements

Referrals are required from primary care physicians or other Children’s Hospital specialty services. Referrals for patients enrolled in managed care insurance plans also may require authorization from the insurance provider and primary care physician. All necessary referral and authorization forms must be received before the patient’s visit. For accurate provider numbers or more information, please call the office number listed.

Neonatology consultation can be obtained 24 hours a day by calling Children’s Hospital at 412-692-5325 and paging the neonatologist on call. Physicians also may call the NICU at 412-692-5030 or the Neonatology office at 412-692-6201.

Emergency referrals can be made by using the Children’s Hospital Communications Center, a pediatric emergency dispatch system, at 412-692-5000.

Patient Transfers

Newborns can be transferred to the NICU at Children’s Hospital or Magee-Womens Hospital based on the patient’s medical need and diagnosis, and the referring physician’s preference. The neonatologist on call is available to make arrangements for the patient’s transfer and for telephone consultation regarding stabilization prior to transfer. In addition to the neonatologist, pediatric medicine and pediatric surgery subspecialists also are available at any time. Neonates transferred to the NICU at Children’s or Magee will be cared for by the same group of neonatologists, who are members of the Neonatology Division in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.