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Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Learning Hub

The SickKids Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) provides care for newborns up to four weeks of age. Find information about life in the NICU, conditions that affect newborns and premature babies and what to expect when leaving the NICU.

Premature babies: At home

Health A-Z

What to do when a premature baby leaves the Hospital: A variety of important points for parents of premature babies to keep in mind.

Neonatal neurodevelopmental follow-up recommendations: 12 month visit

Health A-Z

This page provides recommendations to encourage development in babies aged 12 months who have spent time in the NICU or CCCU, or who require care a neonatal follow-up clinic.

Neonatal neurodevelopmental follow-up recommendations: Eight month visit

Health A-Z

Recommendations for babies who have spent time in the NICU or CCCU to help improve neurodevelopment at eight months.

Transport to specialized neonatal facilities

Health A-Z

Learn about the methods of transportation necessary to accommodate premature birth, which is often an emergency event.

Decision making in the NICU

Health A-Z

Learn about difficult decisions that parents of babies in the NICU must make. To make matters worse, these decisions often must be made quickly.

Caring for parents and families in the NICU

Health A-Z

Learn about the immediate experience of neonatal intensive care, which is a very emotional, physical and practical challenge for parents and families.

Being part of your baby's health-care team

Health A-Z

Learn how parents can effectively participate in the care of a baby in the NICU.

Neonatal neurodevelopmental follow-up recommendations: Six week visit

Health A-Z

This page provides recommendations to encourage development in babies aged six weeks, who have spent time in the NICU or CCCU, or who require care from a neonatal follow-up clinic.

Neonatal neurodevelopmental follow-up recommendations: 36 month visit

Health A-Z

Recommendations to encourage neurodevelopment in babies at 36 months old who are patients in the neonatal developmental follow-up clinic.

Attachment and premature babies

Health A-Z

All babies are born relationship ready. Babies are also born with attachment-based behaviours (crying) that cue their caregiver when they are in distress and need them close. Learn how the baby’s cry and the caregiver’s response to the cry develops the attachment relationship.

Going home from the NICU

Health A-Z

Read about issues that parents and caregivers must address in order to prepare for a baby's discharge from the NICU and arrival at home.

Neonatal neurodevelopmental follow-up recommendations: 18 month visit

Health A-Z

Recommendations to encourage neurodevelopment in babies at 18 months old who have spent time in the neonatal neurodevelopment follow-up clinic.

Outcomes for premature babies

Health A-Z

Learn about possible outcomes for premature babies, which vary on the degree of prematurity and the severity and number of any complications.

Reading: How to help early and struggling readers

Health A-Z

Learn about the everyday activities you can do with your child to develop their reading skills.

Types of vascular access for premature babies

Health A-Z

Learn about several types of lines and catheters that are used for vascular access on a premature baby. They are inserted into either a vein or an artery.

Reading milestones

Health A-Z

Mark Family Literacy Day by learning the reading and writing tasks a child can normally complete at different ages and stages.

Infection and the immune system of a premature baby

Health A-Z

Read about infections and the immune system of premature babies. A premature baby is susceptible to infection because their immune system is immature.

Reading problems: When to worry

Health A-Z

Learn about some signs that indicate your child may need extra help with reading.

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in newborns

Read about the causes, diagnosis and treatment of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in newborn babies.

Reading disabilities: Overview

Health A-Z

A reading disability is a specific type of learning disability. Learn about the symptoms of a reading disability, diagnosis and treatment.

Apnea of prematurity

Health A-Z

Read about apnea of prematurity, which is a condition in which premature babies take unusually long pauses between breaths, and usually resolves itself.

When to worry about reading problems

Health A-Z

There are several signs you can look for to determine if your child is having trouble with reading. While all children develop at their own pace, if you suspect your child has a problem, the earlier it is resolved the better the outcome will be for their future learning.

Post-hemorrhagic ventricular dilatation (PHVD) in newborns

Read about the causes, diagnosis and treatment of post-hemorrhagic ventricular dilatation (PHVD) in newborn babies.

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in premature babies

Health A-Z

Read about intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), or bleeding in the brain, in premature babies.