Medical Services • Pediatrics

Special care for special infants

NCH is the only hospital in the Northwest Suburbs with 24-hour, on-site access to neonatologists from Lurie Children's—leaders in the treatment of critically ill newborn infants.

The physicians in the Division of Neonatology from Lurie Children's are internationally recognized in the delivery of advanced therapies for high-risk babies and all are board-certified by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Special care nursery

NCH's Level II+ nursery features extended capabilities, including advanced technology, specially trained neonatal nurses and board-certified neonatologists from Lurie Children's on-staff 24 hours a day. They are trained to monitor and provide advanced care for premature and ill infants born at 30 weeks or above and for those who require more help or closer watching than a Level I nursery provides, including:

• Monitoring for apnea spells (forgetting to breathe)
• IVs or special medications
• An incubator or other assistance to maintain their body temperature
• Feeding assistance (tube feedings or special help with bottle or breast feeding) - click here to learn about the Model Communities grant that NCH received to encourage mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies, when ready, within the first six months for optimal health benefits)

Advanced diagnostic and imaging consultations

Through NCH's unique partnership with Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, NCH pediatricians now have the ability to review echocardiograms in real time with pediatric cardiologists located at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. A telemedicine consultation with a Lurie Children's pediatric specialist is available in any NCH unit where children are seen.

High-risk neonatal follow-up clinic

NCH's follow-up clinic focuses on the developmental progress and care of babies who have had a difficult start because of premature birth or other physical challenges.

• NCH's Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation team assesses babies for progress in growth and development and, if needed, will refer families for additional therapies
• Progress reports are sent to your child's pediatrician
• Staffed by licensed physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech language pathologists
• Staff headed by Dr. Joel Fisher, director of neonatology at NCH and an associate professor at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago/Northwestern University

Rely on NCH for convenient access to a comprehensive range of specialized inpatient and outpatient pediatric services. Find a physician now or call 847.618.4YOU (4968).