Neonatal Intensive Care Treatment in India
About Neonatal Intensive Care
Key Highlights
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Provides 24/7 specialized medical and nursing care for critically ill newborns.Equipped with advanced technology like incubators, ventilators, and cardiorespiratory monitors.Managed by a dedicated team of neonatologists, nurses, and respiratory therapists.Focuses on stabilizing vital functions, managing infections, and supporting organ development.Offers specialized nutritional support, including intravenous feeding and breast milk fortification.Facilitates crucial parent-infant bonding through protocols like Kangaroo Mother Care./ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Premature birth (before 37 weeks of gestation).
- Low birth weight (less than 2500 grams) or very low birth weight.
- Respiratory distress syndrome, apnea, or need for oxygen/ventilator support.
- Suspected or confirmed severe infections (e.g., sepsis, meningitis).
- Major birth defects requiring immediate surgical or medical intervention.
- Severe jaundice requiring phototherapy or exchange transfusion.
- Birth asphyxia or hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).
- Metabolic disorders or significant blood sugar imbalances.
How to prepare
- For anticipated high-risk deliveries, the NIC team is notified in advance to prepare the resuscitation station and warmer.
- The unit ensures all necessary equipment (ventilators, monitors, infusion pumps) is functional and sterile.
- Parents receive counseling from the neonatologist about potential outcomes and the NIC environment.
- Maternal health records are reviewed to anticipate complications like infections or diabetes.
- Consent for procedures and admission to the NIC is obtained from parents or guardians.
- For in-utero transfers, coordination with the maternal-fetal medicine team is essential.
Risks & possible complications
- Hospital-acquired infections due to prolonged stay and invasive devices.
- Complications from prolonged ventilator use, such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).
- Intraventricular hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain), especially in very preterm infants.
- Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a serious intestinal condition.
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), affecting eye development.
- Long-term neurodevelopmental challenges, including cerebral palsy or learning disabilities.
- Stress and emotional challenges for the infant and family.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Recovery is a gradual process focused on 'graduating' from intensive support to special care and finally to rooming-in with parents.
- Key milestones include breathing without support, maintaining body temperature in an open crib, and achieving full oral feeds.
- Parents are actively involved in care through feeding, bathing, and Kangaroo Mother Care to promote bonding.
- Discharge planning includes training parents on specific care needs, medication administration, and CPR if necessary.
- Close follow-up with the neonatologist and developmental specialists is scheduled to monitor growth, vision, hearing, and neurodevelopment.
- Support groups and lactation consultants are often provided to assist families post-discharge.
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Typical hospital stay:
Varies widely; from several days to several months
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Expected recovery time:
Ongoing; developmental follow-up for 2-3 years or more
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering neonatal intensive care in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in India with neonatology departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform neonatal intensive care. MediFyr helps you compare neonatologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for neonatal intensive care compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | INR 150 Thousand – 500 Thousand | Varies widely; from several days to several months | ~ Ongoing; developmental follow-up for 2-3 years or more | Know More |
| Turkey | TRY 525 Thousand – 1.75 Million | Varies widely; from several days to several months | ~ Ongoing; developmental follow-up for 2-3 years or more | Know More |
Pari Bhatia was born at 28...
Pari Bhatia was born at 28 weeks gestation, weighing just 980 grams. Her parents, first-time immigrants from India, were terrified. Pari was immediately whisked away to the NICU due to extreme prematurity. She struggled to breathe on her own, requiring a CPAP machine, and could not maintain her body temperature. Her neonatologist, Dr. Evans, recommended a prolonged NICU stay for respiratory support, nutritional support via a feeding tube, and careful monitoring for infections and brain development. For 68 days, Pari was in an isolette, connected to monitors, with her parents learning to provide 'kangaroo care' through special ports. The journey was a rollercoaster of small victories and scary setbacks, like a suspected infection. Her parents felt helpless and lived in a state of constant anxiety. After nearly ten weeks, Pari graduated from the NICU, breathing on her own and taking all feeds by bottle. At discharge, she was a healthy 2.2 kg. The emotional shift for her parents was profound, from sheer terror to cautious hope, and finally to overwhelming joy and fierce protectiveness. They left the NICU with immense gratitude for the team that became their surrogate family.
Neonatologists for Neonatal Intensive Care
Explore experienced neonatologists who regularly perform neonatal intensive care and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 20 Years Experience
- Neonatologist
Artemis Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 22 Years Experience
- Neonatologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 22 Years Experience
- Neonatologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 18 Years Experience
- Neonatologist
- 18 Years Experience
- Neonatologist
- 18 Years Experience
- Neonatologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 15 Years Experience
- Pediatrics Specialist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 15 Years Experience
- Neonatologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 15 Years Experience
- Neonatologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 11 Years Experience
- Neonatologist
Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, Hyderabad
- 11 Years Experience
- Neonatologist
- 10 Years Experience
- Neonatologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 11 Years Experience
- Neonatologist
Manipal Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 13 Years Experience
- Neonatologist
Manipal Hospital Varthur Road, Bangalore
- 10 Years Experience
- Neonatologist
Manipal Hospital Kanakapura Road, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Neonatologist
Manipal Hospital Siliguri, Siliguri
- 23 Years Experience
- Neonatologist
Artemis Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 10 Years Experience
- Neonatologist
Manipal Hospital Dwarka, Delhi
- 10 Years Experience
- Neonatologist
Artemis Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 22 Years Experience
- Neonatologist
Artemis Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon