Pediatrix Neonatology of Ohio at Southwest Ohio

About Our Practice

Pediatrix Neonatology of Ohio is dedicated to providing excellent state-of-the-art medical care to infants and their families in a safe and compassionate environment. We strive to attain this through a team approach and with a commitment to honesty, professionalism, cost effectiveness and ethical standards. Our neonatologists (baby doctors) and neonatal nurse practitioners of NNPs (specially trained nurses) provide care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Miami Valley Hospital, as well as other hospitals in the Dayton metropolitan area.

The NICU is a special nursery dedicated to the care of sick newborns. Babies who require special care in the NICU have problems that range from minor to serious. The most common problems seen in babies requiring NICU admission are due to prematurity, breathing problems or heart conditions. There are other conditions which sometimes require a baby to be admitted to the NICU and your baby's doctor or NNP will explain these conditions to you if necessary. A large team of people which includes a doctor, NNP and sometimes a pediatric resident will check on your baby during "daily rounds". Other team members may include a nurse, respiratory therapist, dietician, pharmacist, social worker, discharge planner and an occupational therapist. We are all here for you and your baby.

You are also an important member of the team. We hope you can attend rounds as much as possible. We know it may be difficult for you to come every day, so please make sure we have an updated phone number or two so we can contact you with any important changes. If you are not with us during rounds your baby's nurse, doctor or NNP is always available to provide updates or answer your questions.

Our NICU offers:

The only NICU in the region to offer the potentially life saving treatment called ECMO (extra corporeal membrane oxygenation) for those babies who suffer from conditions which affect the baby's ability to maintain oxygen.
Whole body cooling as necessary
A recently expanded 51,000 square foot Level III NICU with 60 single rooms and an average of 830 admissions to the unit per year.
NICU staff dedicated to research and participation in state and national quality improvement initiatives, to help improve the lives of newborns.

We want you to understand your baby's care. Please let us know if you do not understand what is happening or the words we are using. Over time you will become more familiar with all the new words and machines, but please remember your questions and concerns are always welcome. This website provides information to assist parents and guardians throughout their baby's stay in the NICU. While here, learn about our practice, our clinicians and, most importantly, health conditions that may affect a baby requiring admission to the NICU.

Services Offered

Blood Transfusion in Newborn

Process in which blood is given to a baby. This is a common need in premature babies and full-term babies born with health problems. A blood transfusion is a way to provide extra red blood cells (RBCs) to the baby. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body and it is vital that the baby has a certain amount.
PICC Line
Umbilical Catheter

A thin tube that is placed in the body in order to draw out blood to be used for testing or to allow fluids and medicines to be given. This device serves as a passage that allows doctors and nurses to perform these functions as needed. An umbilical catheter is inserted into the umbilical cord in one of two ways; either into a vein (called an umbilical venous catheter or UVC) or into an artery (called an umbilical arterial catheter or UAC).

Conditions Treated

Air Leak Syndrome
Apnea of Prematurity

A condition in which a baby temporarily stops breathing while sleeping or resting. Many newborns have short pauses in their breathing (less than 20 seconds), but a baby is said to have apnea if he or she stops breathing for at least 20 seconds, has a slowed heart rate (bradycardia) or has a bluish color to the skin with a shorter pause in breathing. Periods of apnea may be accompanied by bradycardia and these events are called "spells" or "alarms."
Babies Born with Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)

The amount of sugar in our blood, called blood sugar or blood glucose, is the fuel that keeps all of our body systems working. If this level dips too low, it is called hypoglycemia. Low blood sugar can happen in any newborn, but some babies have a higher risk for it. Because a baby's body requires so much energy (sugar) after birth, low blood sugar usually occurs within the first few hours after birth. In general, the risk for low blood sugar in a healthy, full-term newborn declines shortly after birth. Yet, if blood sugar stays too low for too long without treatment, it can affect the brain. The effects can range from mild to severe, and may result in learning problems, vision problems and impaired development of motor skills and speech.
Brain Injury
Chronic Lung Disease

Also known as bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), occurs if growth in parts of a baby's lungs are disrupted, altering the lung structure and function. CLD can lead to continued lung problems for some children. Because severe CLD can cause decreased oxygen to parts of the baby's body, it also can lead to problems with the baby's heart, and with hearing, motor skills, speech and learning.
Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a term used to describe a group of problems present at birth that affect the structure of the heart and/or the large vessels near the heart. There are many types of CHD. Some types may be detected before birth and, in some cases, may be treated before birth. Other types are not found until the baby is born, during childhood or in adulthood.
Congenital Malformations
Jaundice
Meconium Aspiration Syndrome
Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)
Hearing Loss and Hearing Disorders
Hypertension

Hypertension or high blood pressure, can be present before pregnancy (chronic hypertension) or develop during pregnancy (gestational hypertension). Pregnant women with hypertension are at risk of developing preeclampsia, experiencing both high blood pressure and protein in the urine, which can lead to serious complications for both the mother and baby.
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN)
Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS)
Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)

A problem with a baby's eyes. The retina is a thin layer of tissue that covers the back portion of the eyeball. In babies born early, blood vessels still need to grow in the retina. In some babies, these vessels grow too fast and in a corkscrew shape. This process can cause bleeding and scarring. Scarring sometimes pulls the retina off the back of the eye. This can cause loss of sight or decreased vision.
Prematurity