Why Might a Baby Need the NICU?

Maternal Factors

• Age younger than 16 or older than 40 years
• Drug or alcohol exposure
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Bleeding
• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Multiples pregnancy
• Too little or too much amniotic fluid
• Premature rupture of membranes

Delivery Factors

• Changes in organ systems due to lack of oxygen (fetal distress/birth asphyxia)
• Buttocks delivered first (breech delivery) or other abnormal presentation
• Meconium aspiration
• Umbilical cord around the baby’s neck
• Need for forceps or Cesarean delivery
• Birth trauma

Baby Factors

• Prematurity or postmaturity
• Birthweight below 2,500 grams (5 pounds, 8 ounces) or over 4,000 grams (8 pounds, 13 ounces)
• Small or large for gestational age
• Medication or resuscitation in the delivery room
• Birth defects
• Brain and nervous system disorders
• Blood disorders
• Hydrops fetalis
• Heart disorders
• Digestive disorders
• Vision or hearing disorders
• Substance exposure 
• Respiratory distress including rapid breathing, grunting or apnea (stopping breathing)
• Infection
• Seizures
• Hypoglycemia
• Need for extra oxygen or monitoring, intravenous (IV) therapy, or medications
• Need for special treatment or procedures, such as a blood transfusion