Neuro NICU
Conditions We Treat

Comprehensive Care for Newborns with Neurological Concerns

The Neurological Newborn Intensive Care Unit (Neuro NICU) at Cincinnati Children’s provides expert care for babies who have a brain injury or are at increased risk for developmental problems. Such injuries and problems can arise from many different conditions, including:

  • Arteriovenous malformations
  • Arthrogryposis
  • Bleeding in or around the brain (intraventricular, intraparenchymal, subdural, epidural hemorrhage)
  • Brachial plexus injury
  • Brain problems related to metabolic disorders
  • Complications of being exposed to drugs before birth
  • Congenital Brain Malformations
  • Extreme premature birth (gestational age of 28 weeks or less)
  • Epilepsy / Seizures
  • Genetic conditions affecting the structure of the brain and spine and connection with muscles
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Hypotonia
  • Infections, including meningitis
  • Lack of oxygen during birth (hypoxic-ischemic injury)
  • Movement disorders, especially cerebral palsy
  • Neuromuscular disorders (genetic, metabolic)
  • Prematurity-related brain abnormalities
  • Myelomeningocele/Spina bifida
  • Stroke
  • Vein of Galen malformation
  • These conditions may be diagnosed before birth (prenatally), occur during delivery or develop after birth. When diagnosed prenatally, many families seek care at the Cincinnati Children’s Fetal Care Center. There, maternal-fetal medicine specialists, neonatologists and fetal surgeons provide the most sophisticated therapies available for complex and rare fetal conditions. These experts work closely with the Neuro NICU team to ensure babies and their moms receive well-coordinated care before, during and after birth.

    Long-Term Follow-Up Care

    Some babies who receive care in the Neuro NICU do not experience long-term neurodevelopmental problems. Others, though, do. These problems range from mild to severe and can include cerebral palsy, intellectual impairments, hearing and language problems, autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and other neurodevelopmental disorders. 

    For these children, long-term follow-up care is essential. Before your baby is discharged from Cincinnati Children’s, your child’s care team may talk with you about making an appointment at our Newborn Intensive Care Follow-up Clinic. Led by neonatologists with a special interest in brain health and development, the clinic provides long-term follow-up care from physicians trained in pediatrics and neurology, advanced practice providers, nurses, physical / occupational / speech therapists, psychologists, social workers and nutritionists.