Paediatric and neonatal intensive care

What is meant by paediatric and neonatal intensive care?

Paediatric and neonatal intensive care occurs in the event where constant and rigorous surveillance and monitoring takes place of newborns, infants, and children who are suffering from acute, life-threatening illnesses and conditions. In a scenario such as this, these newborns, infants, and young children will be admitted to a paediatric and neonatal ICUs (intensive care units) in any given hospital, which is specifically designed for extremely ill newborns, infants, and young children. 

 

What is the main objective of paediatric and neonatal intensive care?

The number one objective of paediatric and neonatal intensive care is to provide these young individuals with an extremely high standard of surveillance, monitoring, and care, as well as organ system support where necessary. 

 

What areas of expertise must a typical paediatric and neonatal intensive care member of staff have?

Due to the age spectrum in the field of paediatric and neonatal care, intensive care members of staff providing care for these young individuals must possess a high degree of expertise when it comes to developmental physiology, pharmacology, as well as psychology. A strong knowledge of family dynamics is also required, in order for staff in this field to be fully prepared in the event whereby they encounter complex parental behaviour. 

 

Which specialist generally treats paediatric and neonatal life-threatening conditions?

Paediatricians are well-equipped specialists when dealing with paediatric and neonatal life-threatening conditions, but, of course, it will largely depend on what the specific illness in question is.