The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital in Abu Dhabi, provides healthcare services for newborn babies until 28 days of life (up to 44 weeks corrected gestational age), starting at 24 weeks of gestation. The unit may receive babies of lower gestational ages as per the doctor’s order. It comprises of 20 Neonatal Intensive Care beds, including isolation beds and provides comprehensive medical treatment and nursing care for newborns requiring a high level of care, constant supervision and monitoring.
We are accredited as a Level 3 NICU, which is the highest level, providing neonatal intensive care for seriously ill newborns.
A level 3 NICU is equipped to care for very small or very sick newborn babies and has a wide variety of staff on-site, including neonatologists, neonatal nurses, and respiratory therapists who are available 24 hours a day with subspeciality services.
Infants born at less than 32 weeks gestational age or weighing less than 1500 grams, as well as critically ill newborns of any gestational age and birth weight, should be taken care of in a level 3 NICU.
Studies have shown better outcomes for very low birth weight and premature infants who are born at level 3 centres. That is why doctors recommend that pregnant women at risk of having premature or low birth weight newborns be transported to these centres to give birth.
A level 3 NICU can provide continuous life support and comprehensive care. It can offer critical medical and surgical care. It can provide mechanical ventilation and high-frequency mechanical ventilation for babies who cannot breathe on their own. As a level 3 NICU, the team at Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital will monitor babies for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP, which can cause blindness) and treat the condition.
The medical team can perform minor surgical procedures, such as umbilical vessel catheterisation (in which a catheter is inserted into one of the blood vessels in the baby's umbilical cord stump, so that the baby's blood pressure can be monitored and blood can be taken without using a needle).
Our level 3 NICU offers a paediatric surgical centre on-site or close by to complete major surgeries, and bowel surgery to treat necrotising enterocolitis (NEC), a serious infection of the lining of the intestines.
Our centre has access to a full range of paediatric medical specialists, such as neonatologists, paediatric ophthalmologists and anaesthesiologists, to address problems premature and critically ill newborns may have.
Our centre has advanced imaging technology and experts to interpret the scans and assist in diagnosis.
Our multi-disciplinary Level 3 NICU staff at Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital Abu Dhabi, are here to assist your baby and family. Our NICU team includes neonatal nurses, respiratory therapists, imaging technologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, pharmacists, lactation consultants, speech therapists, dieticians and support- service staff.
Procedures used include:
- INSURE (Intubation Surfactant Extubation)
- Non-Invasive Ventilation (Sipap,BCPAP,Optiflow,Hi Flow)
- Central line umbilical venous and arterial
- PICC (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter)
- Cranial ultrasound by consultant
- Echocardiogram, when needed, by paediatric cardiologist
- Chest tube Insertion
- Thermoregulation
- Intravenous access and maintenance
- Hemodynamic monitoring
- Exchange transfusion
- Total parenteral nutrition
- Ventilator support includes high frequency ventilation
- Oxygen saturation monitoring
- Promoting of breastfeeding and lactation assistance /device
- Paediatric/neonatal surgery
- Cooling with CFM for HIE babies
- Newborn Screening (CCHD, metabolic screening, hearing screening) as per Department of Health
- Inhaled NO as life‐saving therapy
At Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital Abu Dhabi, we understand the anxiety and challenges that come with having a baby in the NICU. We are here not just as healthcare providers but as partners in your journey toward your baby's health and well-being.
Whether your little one requires short-term intensive care or long-term support, our NICU is committed to delivering the highest standard of care in a nurturing and supportive environment.
Contact us today to learn more about our neonatal services or to schedule a visit. Your baby's health and comfort are our top priorities at our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
