Intermediate
Technical
IVT
NICU
Pronunciation: NIH-kyoo
Also written as: NICU — Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Specialized intensive care unit for critically ill newborn infants up to 28 days of age.
Full Definition
A highly specialized intensive care unit dedicated to the care of newborn infants who are premature, critically ill, or require intensive medical intervention within the first 28 days of life. NICUs are equipped with specialized equipment scaled for neonatal physiology, staffed by neonatologists and specially trained nurses, and organized into different levels of care based on the complexity of conditions treated and technological capabilities available.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish clearly from PICU in medical documentation; age ranges do not overlap.
In Context
- "The premature infant was admitted to the Level III NICU." — Transfer documentation
- "NICU protocols emphasize developmental care for preterm infants." — Care standards manual
Also known as
neonatal ICU
newborn intensive care
Don't confuse with
PICU
nursery