Neonatology

Premature and High Risk Babies

Neonatology refers to the care of preemies or babies who are very sick due to low birth weight, birth defects, heart trouble, lung problems, or other life-threatening conditions. University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital is home to a Level 4 NICU—the highest level recognized by the American Academy of Pediatrics. This means that our NICU is equipped to care for the tiniest and most critically ill babies, offering the greatest range of neonatal services and support. In fact, we care for more complex conditions than any other NICU in Iowa. 

Our survival rates for babies born at 23, 24, and 25 weeks are significantly higher than survival rates for extremely premature babies born at other U.S. hospitals, placing UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital among the top neonatal intensive care providers anywhere.

Few parents consider the possibility that their baby might need special medical care after birth. Even fewer think about which neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) might care for their baby.

With one of the nation's best survival rates for premature infants, the questions we're asking today will help us deliver even better answers tomorrow. One more reason we’re the only nationally ranked neonatology program in Iowa.

Mother's Milk Bank of Iowa provides donated human milk to premature and full-term infants in Iowa. Babies receiving donated milk include hospitalized premature infants, infants born with immunological defects, adopted infants, and babies whose mothers produce an insufficient amount of breast milk or have an illness requiring a brief cessation of breastfeeding.

• Newborn Channel: Information for parents about caring for their baby in the NICU and at home
  (NOTE: Hospital Password: 02826)
• Your NICU Baby: Information for parents about what to expect when your baby is in the NICU
  (NOTE: Hospital Password: 02826)

• Iowa Neonatology Handbook
• Tiniest Babies Registry