Most babies admitted to the NICU are premature (born before 37 weeks of pregnancy), have low birth weight (less than 5.5 pounds), or have a medical condition that requires special care. Twins, triplets, and other multiples often are admitted to the NICU, as they tend to be born earlier and smaller than single birth babies. Babies with medical conditions such as heart problems, infections, or birth defects are also cared for in the NICU. The following are some factors that can place a baby at high risk and increase the chances of being admitted to the NICU. However, each baby must be evaluated individually to determine the need for admission. High-risk factors include the following:
- Maternal Factors
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- age younger than 16 or older than 40 years
- drug or alcohol exposure
- diabetes
- hypertension (high blood pressure)
- bleeding
- sexually transmitted diseases
- multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets, or more)
- too little or too much amniotic fluid
- premature rupture of membranes (also called the amniotic sac or bag of waters)
- Delivery Factors
- fetal distress/birth asphyxia (changes in organ systems due to lack of oxygen)
- breech delivery presentation (buttocks delivered first) or other abnormal presentation
- meconium (the baby’s first stool passed during pregnancy into the amniotic fluid)
- nuchal cord (cord around the baby’s neck)
- forceps or cesarean delivery
- Baby Factors
- birth at gestational age less than 37 weeks or more than 42 weeks
- birthweight less than 2,500 grams (5 pounds, 8 ounces) or over 4,000 grams (8 pounds, 13 ounces)
- small for gestational age
- medication or resuscitation in the delivery room
- birth defects
- respiratory distress including rapid breathing, grunting, or apnea (stopping breathing)
- infection such as herpes, group B streptococcus, chlamydia
- seizures
- hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- need for extra oxygen or monitoring, intravenous (IV) therapy, or medications
- need for special treatment or procedures such as a blood transfusion
