The Most Experienced Neonatology Team.

As a Level III care facility, Miami Children’s Neonatology Division is certified to care for developmentally challenged newborns. Here, babies born weighing as little as 1.25 pounds are not only expected to survive, but thrive. The center was the first of its kind in South Florida and has 20 years of experience caring for neonates. Even though 60 percent of the babies admitted weigh less than 3 pounds, the majority of them grow to be happy, healthy children. The division is a member of the Vermont Oxford Hospital Trials Group, and participates in research on the developmental outcome of newborns with birth weights less than 1,500 grams.

In many instances, these tiniest of children require a prolonged hospital stay with around­the­clock care from a team of neonatal and pediatric physicians, neonatal nurses, and nurse practitioners, as well as occupational therapists, physical therapists, and social workers.

Of course, it’s not just neonatology that contributes to the maturation of these babies, but cardiology, neurology, surgery, ophthalmology, and the many other sub­specialties at the hospital. These also include occupational therapy, physical therapy, and audiology disciplines that contribute to the babies’ developmental growth.

The center utilizes the latest monitoring systems, ventilator support, and incubators, including Nature’s Cradle, which replicates the sound and motion of the mother’s womb. But even more important than the advanced medical technology is the caring, love, and compassion that the MCH team of neonatal specialists give to these tiniest of babies.

The role of neonatal nurses is most crucial. They are responsible for detecting any interruption in heart and breathing activity and maintaining thermoregulation. The neonatal nurses at MCH are also experienced in post­operative care since many of these babies need surgery.

At Miami Children’s Hospital, discharge planning begins the day the infant is admitted. Parents are encouraged to stay overnight with their child in the neonatal unit to learn care techniques, procedures, and adjust to their child’s schedule. Experience has shown that continuity of care is a critical factor in a neonate’s developmental potential. Often, after a lengthy period of hospital care involving intensive technological support, a child’s family must be taught how to continue that care once the child returns home. As discharge day approaches, the entire neonatal team works to ease the transition from hospital to home for both the child and family. But care for the neonate does not stop there. Miami Children’s maintains on­going clinical and home health services for these special children, and today more survive with fewer complications as a result of long­term, continuous care. This demonstrates that the care of the hospital extends beyond its walls.

Miami Children’s Neonatology Division admits more than 375 newborns a year, virtually all referred from maternity wings of adult hospitals after a premature delivery. To extend neonatal care in the community, Miami Children’s neonatal physicians are now serving several area hospitals by helping staff their obstetric care services with neonatal specialists.