Level III NICU

A higher level of NICU care for your newborn

We hope for a healthy and easy delivery for every birth. That does not always happen. Sometimes health issues arise that can keep a newborn hospitalized longer than expected. For times like this Fountain Valley Regional Hospital and Medical Center has a state-of-the-art Level IIIB Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) where sick babies, especially those who are premature, receive specialized treatment.

Fountain Valley’s NICU can treat infections, birth defects, breathing difficulties, growth restriction and maternal health problems. A level IIIB NICU is a unit dedicated to caring for the smallest and sickest of newborns. Our level of NICU gives your baby access to a wider range of pediatric specialists, ventilation support systems, imaging capabilities and surgeries. Full-term babies can also be treated in the NICU for conditions such as anemia, jaundice, heart problems or breathing issues. Our NICU features 23 special care (Level IIIB) nursery beds that are certified by California Children’s Services.

High-risk Infant Follow-up Program

We also offer a High-risk Infant Follow-up Program designed to help children who required neonatal intensive care and may remain at risk for other problems in the future. Respiratory problems, cognitive delay, speech or hearing impairment, and orthopedic problems are some of these concerns. The Fountain Valley NICU program provides developmental assessment and follow-up for up to 3 years for infants who meet certain criteria upon discharge. Criteria may include premature birth, low birth weight, low Apgar Scores or birth trauma with developmental delays.

A team certified in caring for high-risk and premature infants addresses the medical, nutritional, neurological, developmental and social needs of our young patients. Clinic assessments are conducted at 4-6 months, 9-12 months and 18-36 months by a neonatal physician specialist, a developmental specialist and a neonatal nurse. Other ancillary service specialists such as a physical therapist, occupational therapist, social worker, or registered dietician may also be involved.

If the follow-up program is recommended for your child, your first appointment for the clinic will be made through the NICU prior to discharge. Your nurse will make sure you know how to access the clinic before you and your baby go home.