The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is dedicated to the specialized, round-the-clock intensive care of newborns who are born prematurely, have low birth weight or congenital abnormalities, have respiratory problems, or are critically ill. The NICU has highly trained staff and advanced life support equipment designed to meet the unique medical needs of newborn babies, such as phototherapy lights, ventilators, incubators, baby warmers, feeding tubes, and monitors.

The length of stay in the NICU depends on the newborn’s health condition; some newborns stay only a few hours or days while others may need to stay for weeks or even months.