Advanced Ventilation and Intensive Care for Newborn Babies

Premature and critically ill newborns may have immature lungs or medical conditions that make breathing difficult. The NICU at Apollo Adlux Hospital provides different levels of respiratory and critical care support depending on the baby's clinical requirements.

This page integrates respiratory therapies and bedside NICU procedures that are normally performed as part of comprehensive neonatal intensive care rather than functioning as independent treatments.

Neonatal Invasive Ventilation

Mechanical ventilation may be used for newborns who are unable to maintain adequate breathing independently. Ventilator settings are individualised and monitored by the neonatal critical care team.

Non-Invasive Ventilation

Selected babies may receive breathing support without placement of an endotracheal breathing tube. Non-invasive respiratory support can assist babies who are breathing spontaneously but require additional airway pressure or oxygen support.

High-Frequency Ventilation

High-frequency ventilation is an advanced form of respiratory support that may be considered in selected critically ill newborns when conventional ventilation does not provide adequate respiratory support.

Inhaled Nitric Oxide Therapy

Inhaled nitric oxide may be used in carefully selected newborns with specific conditions affecting blood flow through the lungs. Treatment is provided under close NICU monitoring.

Intubation & Ventilation

Endotracheal intubation involves placing a breathing tube into the baby's airway when invasive ventilation or advanced airway management is required.

Surfactant Administration

Premature babies can have insufficient pulmonary surfactant, a substance that helps keep the lungs expanded. Surfactant replacement therapy may be administered through the airway for selected newborns with neonatal respiratory distress.

Umbilical Venous & Arterial Catheterisation

Umbilical catheters may be placed in critically ill newborns when secure vascular access, blood sampling, medication administration, fluids, nutrition or close monitoring is required.

Blood Gas Monitoring

Blood gas analysis helps the neonatal team assess oxygenation, carbon dioxide levels and acid-base balance and can assist in adjusting respiratory and other intensive care treatments.

Blood Component Transfusion

Blood products may be administered when clinically required in premature or critically ill newborns. The need and type of transfusion are determined according to the baby's condition and laboratory findings.

Lumbar Puncture

A lumbar puncture may be performed when evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid is required, including in selected newborns being investigated for serious infections involving the central nervous system.