Pediatric Neonatology

Which Diseases and Conditions Are Treated?

The newborn period is a stage where babies' immune and organ systems are not yet fully mature. Therefore, the health problems encountered must be managed by physicians specializing in this field. The most frequently monitored and treated conditions in our department are:

• Prematurity (Preterm Birth): Supporting organ development and monitoring vital functions of babies born before the 37th week of pregnancy.
• Newborn Jaundice: Jaundice conditions that occur with an increase in bilirubin levels in the blood and can pose a risk if not intervened in a timely manner.
• Respiratory Distress: Breathing difficulties arising from incomplete lung development or infections.
• Immaturity and Low Birth Weight: Special feeding and care processes for babies whose development in the womb was delayed or who were born below the expected weight.
• Multiple Pregnancies: Monitoring of babies born as a result of multiple pregnancies, such as twins or triplets, which require close observation.
• Neonatal Infections: Treatment of infectious diseases that can develop before, during, or after birth.
• Surgical Conditions: Pre- and post-operative intensive care monitoring of babies who have undergone or are planned to undergo surgical procedures due to congenital anomalies.

Diagnostic Methods

Since transporting babies treated in the neonatal intensive care unit can be risky, a large part of the diagnostic procedures is performed in the environment where the babies are located. In this way, the babies' body temperature is preserved, and the risk of infection is minimized. The main diagnostic and monitoring methods applied in our clinic are:

• Bedside Ultrasonography: Brain ultrasounds performed inside the incubator to evaluate the risk of brain hemorrhage, especially in premature babies.
• Bedside Echocardiography (ECHO): Evaluating the heart structure and functions of newborns suspected of having heart disease right in their beds.
• Bedside X-rays: Immediate acquisition of chest and abdominal X-rays in cases such as respiratory distress or intestinal problems.
• Cerebral Function Monitoring (EEG Monitoring): Continuous monitoring of the brain activities of babies carrying neurological risks.
• Cardiorespiratory Monitoring: 24/7 uninterrupted tracking of babies' heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood oxygen levels with non-invasive and invasive monitors.
• Screening Tests: Early detection of potential sensory losses through ophthalmological (eye) and audiological (hearing) screenings.

Treatment Methods and Applications

In the treatment of newborn diseases, in addition to medication, many specialized interventional procedures and life support therapies are successfully applied in our unit. Our treatment methods, shaped according to your baby's needs, include:

• Phototherapy (Light Therapy): Special LED wavelength light therapy applied to the skin, used in the treatment of newborn jaundice.
• Exchange Transfusion: A vital procedure performed to rapidly lower the bilirubin level in the blood in cases of severe jaundice or blood incompatibility.
• Respiratory Support Therapies: Oxygen support, basic and advanced mechanical ventilation (respirator) applications used when the baby cannot breathe adequately on their own.
• Total Body Cooling: The process of controlled reduction of body temperature to minimize brain damage in babies deprived of oxygen during birth.
• Inhaled Nitric Oxide Therapy: An advanced treatment that increases oxygenation by dilating the lung vessels in babies with resistant pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs) and severe respiratory failure.
• Physical Therapy and Neurological Monitoring: Supporting the motor and neurological development of high-risk babies in the pre- and post-discharge periods.

Technology and Team: BHT CLINIC Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Features

The BHT CLINIC Istanbul Tema Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is designed in accordance with JCI accreditation standards to offer the safest environment for your babies. Our unit serves as one of the highest capacity centers in the region with 37 incubators. This large capacity eliminates the worry of finding space in emergencies, allowing your babies to be intervened immediately.

Our unit has the most up-to-date technological infrastructure required for neonatal intensive care. We are prepared for any scenario with conventional and advanced mechanical ventilators, LED technology phototherapy devices, open beds, and transport incubators. Particularly, our advanced technology equipment, such as the total body cooling device and the inhaled nitric oxide device, plays a vital role in the treatment of critically ill babies. Our experienced neonatal intensive care nurses and expert physician staff are by your side 24/7 in your babies' struggle to hold on to life.

When Should You Apply?

If your obstetrician and gynecologist detects a risk of premature birth, multiple pregnancy, or developmental delay in the baby during the pregnancy process, it is of great importance that the birth takes place in a well-equipped hospital with a neonatal intensive care unit. After birth, if you observe the following symptoms in your baby, you should apply for an expert evaluation without wasting time:

• Difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, or bruising (cyanosis).
• A prominent, progressively increasing yellow color on the skin and whites of the eyes (especially jaundice starting in the first 24 hours).
• Reluctance to suck, feeding difficulties, or constant sleepiness (lethargy).
• High fever or body temperature dropping below normal.
• Unexpected contractions or unusual movements.

Appointment and Examination Process

You can contact our department to plan a birth during your high-risk pregnancy follow-up or if you have concerns about your baby's health. Our expert team will evaluate your baby's condition in detail and transparently share all necessary medical steps with you. Informing the family during the neonatal intensive care process is one of our top priorities.

To get information about the facilities offered by our hospital, plan a newborn examination, or consult with our specialist physicians, you can call our call center or easily create your appointment through our online system.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can families enter the neonatal intensive care unit?

Yes, we believe that mother and father contact is very important in the healing process of babies. In our neonatal intensive care unit, parents are allowed to visit their babies and, when appropriate, have skin-to-skin contact (kangaroo care), provided they strictly adhere to infection control rules. Detailed information about visiting hours and rules is provided by our unit.

How long does newborn jaundice take to pass?

Physiological newborn jaundice usually starts on the 2nd or 3rd day after birth and decreases on its own within 1 to 2 weeks. However, this period may be prolonged in premature babies. In cases where the bilirubin level reaches dangerous limits, jaundice is usually brought under control within a few days with phototherapy (light therapy). Your baby's jaundice status is closely monitored by our physicians.

What is the discharge process for premature babies?

A premature baby must meet certain criteria to be discharged. The baby is expected to maintain their body temperature outside the incubator, feed adequately from the mother's breast or a bottle, have no respiratory distress, and have regular weight gain. Before discharge, families are provided with detailed training on baby care, feeding, and what to do in emergencies, ensuring the transition home is completed safely.

How are babies fed in neonatal intensive care?

The feeding method is determined according to the baby's gestational age, weight, and current illness. Premature or sick babies whose sucking and swallowing reflexes have not yet developed are fed with the help of a thin tube (orogastric tube) passed into their stomach. Our priority is always breast milk. Milk expressed by mothers is stored under special conditions and given to the babies. As the baby gets stronger and their reflexes develop, a transition is made to oral feeding and breastfeeding.