Neonatology (or neo) is a unit where babies stay who need extra or specific care. There are two types of units, N* and NIC.
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What is a neonatology?
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N* function
A N* is a unit for newborns who require more care and monitoring than other newborns. This group does not need intensive care. It concerns babies who, for example, are born prematurely (moderate or late preterm, > 32 – 36 weeks), have a low birth weight (< 2500 grams), or are too small for their gestational age, have a difficult start after birth, etc. Every Belgian maternity ward or obstetrics department has an N* function.
NIC unit
Sometimes a baby may need intensive care, in that case, they are referred to an NIC unit or neonatal intensive care unit.
Complications or problems can occur during pregnancy, such as early contractions or premature rupture of membranes, congenital abnormalities in the baby, etc. In such cases, the mother is, if possible, transferred to a hospital with an NIC unit so that the delivery can take place there and the baby can be treated immediately. This increases the baby’s chances of survival.
Sometimes the baby develops unexpected problems, or transferring the mother is no longer possible. A specialized team then transports the baby to a hospital with a NIC unit.
Belgium has 19 recognized NIC units, distributed across Brussels (6), Flanders (7) and Wallonia (6).
Find a NIC unit
West Flanders 1
East Flanders 1
Antwerp 3
Universitair Ziekenhuis Antwerpen Koningin Mathilde Moeder- en kindcentrum
Drie Eikenstraat 6552650 Edegem
Limburg 1
Brabant 7
Hôpital Universitaire des Enfants Reine Fabiola (HUDERF)
Jean Joseph Crocqlaan 151020 Brussel
Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel - Brussels Health Campus
Laarbeeklaan 1011090 Jette
Hainaut 3
Namur 1
Liège 1
How many babies are admitted to neonatology?
On average, 12% of Belgian babies are admitted to a neonatology unit.
In Flanders, one in ten children (or 10%) is admitted to an N* unit. In Wallonia, this is one in seventeen (or 6%) live births.
Approximately 4% of Belgian babies are admitted to an NIC unit. In Flanders, one in twenty-four children (or 4.3%) is admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit. In Wallonia, this is 3.7% or one in twenty-seven.
What is the reason for admission?
There can be various reasons why a baby ends up in neonatology.
The most common cause is that the baby is born prematurely. About one in three admissions is due to prematurity. Respiratory problems are the second most common reason for admission. These involve issues with the lungs, oxygen exchange, or an obstruction.
In addition, there are several other reasons for admission, with low birth weight (< 2500 grams) and metabolic problems being the most frequent. Less common reasons include problems with blood circulation, infection, gastrointestinal issues, congenital abnormalities, neurological problems, oxygen deprivation at birth, and sometimes after a cesarean section.
Who works in neonatology?
In an N* unit, the team usually consists of pediatricians, midwives, nurses and possibly lactation consultants. In an NIC unit, this team is expanded to include neonatologists, psychologists, speech therapists, physiotherapists, etc. Additionally, there are logistical and administrative staff, social workers, and a cleaning team. The composition of the team can vary between N* and NIC units.
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During admission of their baby, parents are confronted with many medical terms. This dictionary explains the most important terms.
Parents are not alone
Support for parents
Supporting parents during this difficult and intense period is of great importance. The caregivers in the neonatology unit are the first point of contact for parents. Additionally, parents can also find support from peers. The wider environment can play a supportive role, not only during admission, but also when parents go home with their baby. Attention should also be given to parents’ self-care. Some neonatology units have the NeoParent app, a mobile application designed to support parents during their baby’s hospitalization.
Administration
The admission of a baby to neonatology brings a lot of stress and emotions. Parents have little energy left to deal with all the paperwork that comes with a (premature) birth. A handy overview is provided to help organize all administrative matters.
Feeding
The feeding pattern of a prematurely born baby is very different from that of a full‑term baby. To help parents navigate this, we developed a page with information about feeding in the neonatal unit.