Neonatal ICU

For babies born prematurely or with medical problems that require intensive care, Huntington Hospital provides the highest level of neonatal intensive care available in the San Gabriel Valley region. Unlike many other care facilities, Huntington Hospital's neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) has neonatologists in house around the clock, and our staff also includes respiratory therapists, neonatology nurses, pharmacists, occupational therapists, dietitians and anesthesiologists, among others. These experts provide a full range of neonatal intensive care, including everything from treatment of infection to complex neurological surgery.

Because of our high standard of care, Huntington Hospital's NICU has been awarded a Level III designation by California Children's Services, representing the gold standard for neonatal care in the state. Importantly, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that a high-risk infant born in a hospital with a Level III NICU has a 38% higher survival rate than a similar infant born in a hospital without an NICU. Located directly adjacent to our Labor, Delivery and Recovery Suites, the NICU provides immediate access to Huntington Hospital's full range of advanced neonatal medical care, including state-of-the-art diagnostic and surgical services. While experts recommend that Level III neonatal units equip a minimum of 15 beds for neonatal intensive care, our commitment to superior care has led us to ensure that all 51 beds in our neonatal care area are licensed for intensive care.

Advanced Neonatal Care

Today, Huntington Hospital remains the only hospital in the San Gabriel Valley to offer extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, nitric oxide treatment and certain other advanced neonatal care techniques. These highly advanced interventions are responsible for saving dozens of young lives every year at Huntington Hospital.

ECMO Treatment

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a life-saving surgical treatment for pulmonary hypertension or respiratory failure in infants.

Nitric Oxide (NO) Treatment

Nitric oxide (NO) treatment is a non-invasive method of treating respiratory and cardiopulmonary disorders in infants. As a result of Huntington Hospital's superior neonatal care, sick infants are routinely transferred from across Los Angeles County, and even beyond, to receive the kind of help that is not available at their hospital of birth. If the baby is coming from a distant location, helicopter transfer may be arranged. And whether the infant is transported by ambulance or helicopter, a Huntington Hospital neonatology team is on hand to provide medical support during the journey.

Support and Aftercare

At Huntington Hospital, we recognize how important it is for parents and infants to develop a close bond while the child is in NICU. That's why our occupational therapist develops and implements special programs, such as Cuddle Care, that provide opportunities for important parental nurture and enhance emotional development for babies. In addition, a registered dietitian works with parents to design an appropriate nutritional program for very low birth weight infants. For NICU graduates who are considered to be at high risk for development delays, a team of experts also continues to provide follow up after discharge, and to assist families with additional needed services. In thanks for the hospital's outstanding range of care and support for their children, a number of parents now volunteer through a special program called Parent Connection, in order to help others through this difficult time. In addition, more than 1,000 NICU graduates gather at our neonatal reunion every other year to celebrate the life-saving care provided at Huntington Hospital. For more information about pediatric care, obstetrics and maternity services at Huntington Hospital, please click on one of the links in the right margin of this page.

For more information, please call: (626) 397-8524