Neuro NICU Expertise and Care
Nationally Recognized Expertise
Our neonatology program is ranked in the Top 5 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. As a specialty unit inside the region’s only Level IV NICU, our Neuro NICU team includes internationally recognized experts in neonatology, neurology, neurosurgery and neuroradiology who help advance newborn neurological care through research, innovation and clinical leadership.
Advanced Imaging and Treatment Options
Our team provides some of the most advanced neurological care available for newborns. Cincinnati Children’s neonatologists helped pioneer therapeutic hypothermia, now the worldwide standard of care for newborns with HIE.
The Neuro NICU is also home to the world’s only FDA-cleared infant-sized 3-Tesla MRI located directly within a NICU. Combined with bedside CT, cranial ultrasound and continuous video EEG monitoring, these technologies help our specialists diagnose conditions quickly and guide treatment with greater precision.
Team-Based Care for Complex Conditions
Newborn neurological conditions often require expertise from many specialties. Our team-based care model brings together neonatologists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, genetic specialists, rehabilitation experts and therapists.
Our specialists work together to create one personalized care plan for your child. We care for newborns with conditions such as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), neonatal seizures, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), hydrocephalus, neonatal stroke and spina bifida. We combine advanced treatments with compassionate care to help families navigate some of the most challenging moments of their lives.
Support Before Birth Through Follow-Up Care
For families who receive a prenatal diagnosis, care can begin before delivery through the Cincinnati Children’s Fetal Care Center. After birth, newborns receive specialized neurological care in the Neuro NICU.
As children grow, they continue to receive support through developmental follow-up programs that monitor movement, learning, speech and overall development. This continuity helps families access the right care at every stage.
Research That Helps Improve Outcomes
The Neuro NICU is closely connected to the Neurodevelopmental Disorders Prevention Center and nationally recognized neonatal research programs. Our specialists lead studies focused on protecting the developing brain, improving diagnosis and advancing treatments for newborn neurological conditions. Our newly developed prognostic models are poised to enable early, accurate diagnosis and prevent neurodevelopmental disorders.
This commitment to research helps bring new discoveries directly to patient care and provides eligible families access to leading clinical studies.
Family-Centered Care and Support
We believe parents are essential members of the care team. Families are encouraged to participate in care, ask questions and stay informed throughout their child’s journey.
The Neuro NICU is located within Cincinnati Children’s Critical Care Building and features private rooms, family sleeping accommodations and an environment designed to support both newborn development and family well-being.
Easing the Transition Home
When it’s time for you to take your baby home, we will ensure you have the information and support needed for this next phase of your family’s life. After leaving the NICU, our specialists continue to follow children through dedicated programs that assess growth, movement, speech, learning and behavior.
We’ll work with you to create a discharge plan. The plan may include having healthcare providers come to your home, training you on medical equipment or supplies you’ll need and making an appointment with the Cincinnati Children’s Newborn Intensive Care Follow-up Clinic. This clinic, led by neonatologists and pediatric neurologists with a special interest in brain health and development, provides long-term follow-up to help babies reach their full potential.
