Neonatology at KIMS includes the following programs:

Fetal Diagnostics

KIMS offers families facing potentially complex birth defects in their unborn infant the highest quality care. The most advanced diagnosis and treatment is available to both the mother and foetus before, during and after the infant's birth.

KIMS doctors work closely with families and their perinatologists to utilize state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment protocols from a full range of specialties to improve neonatal outcomes for most fetal complications. These specialties include maternal-fetal medicine, genetics, radiology, transfusion services, laser treatment, labor and delivery, neonatology, cardiology, anesthesia, pediatric surgery, urology and neurosurgery. By using advanced diagnostic methods, we work with the perinatologists to pinpoint the fetus' problem and recommend the best possible treatment, allowing for the planning and care of nearly every fetal complication, including :

• Genetic and metabolic diseases and disorders
  
• Congenital cardiac anomalies
• Abdominal wall defects, including Gastroschisis, omphalocele, and cloacal exstrophy
• Congenital malformations, including Diaphragmatic Hernia
• Congential complex heart defect, Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
• Congenital intestinal anomalies
• Congenital urologic anomalies of the bladder and kidneys, including bladder exstrophy
• Congenital anomalies of the central nervous system, including neural tube defects and hydrocephalus
• Congenital anomalies of the face, including cleft lip and palate
• Congenital orthopedic anomalies, including club feet and scoliosis

Newborn Intensive & Intermediate Care

COMPREHENSIVE CENTER FOR BRONCHOPULMONARY DYSPLASIA (BPD)

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) is a multifactorial disease that affects premature infants inversely with gestational age. BPD causes impaired lung function, but additionally is associated with poor growth, development and social functioning of the baby and family. These problems continue beyond the initial neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay; therefore, the Comprehensive Center for Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia at KIMS provides both inpatient and outpatient services.

NEONATAL AND INFANT FEEDING DISORDERS PROGRAM

For every baby diagnosed with a feeding disorder, the ultimate goal is full oral feeds. The first step toward that goal is a multi-modal diagnostic study, with a feeding evaluation and radiologic and motility studies. The second step is the development of a rational, therapeutic strategy, with help from a team of specialists–an occupational therapist, nutritionist, neonatologist, nurse and patient care assistant–working together with the family.

Our program cares for babies between newborn and 6 months of age that are presently inpatients, or have recently been released from other NICUs and demonstrate the following conditions :

• Born prematurely
  
• Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD)
• Acid reflux (GERD)
• Suspected gastrointestinal motility problems
• Swallowing problems
• Perinatal neurological illness
• Small Baby Program

At the heart of the Small Baby Program is a standardized protocol for care, developed by the neonatology team at KIMS and tested at the bedside, providing a uniform, interdisciplinary approach to the family-centered care of extremely premature babies. The guidelines outline care regarding development, nutrition, cardiovascular functioning, infection and other potential health concerns throughout these infants' hospitalization. As a result, premature babies at KIMS are doing more than surviving. They're catching up to their peers and thriving with outstanding developmental outcomes.

These programs provide state-of-the-art capabilities for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of extremely premature and medically fragile neonates, including :

• High frequency ventilation
  
• Extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)
• Nitric oxide therapy on protocol
• Fetal diagnostics and therapeutics
• Interdisciplinary management of surgical, premature and sick neonates
• Interdisciplinary program for the treatment of BPD
• Long-term, developmental outpatient follow-up
• Airway and lung-structure function analysis
• Apnea management
• Pediatric and cardiovascular surgery
• Management of infants with complex birth defects and metabolic diseases
• Neonatal research

It's the combination of all of these factors, along with the commitment of our teams and families, that enable us to provide babies with cutting-edge interventions, exceptional care, and in turn, remarkable outcomes measured across four categories.

We measure respiratory outcomes by airway support and the child's ability to wean off of medications and oxygen. Nutritional outcomes are measured by growth and feeding milestone characteristics. Neurological outcomes are determined by evaluation of developmental assessment at various points in a child's life. Social and behavioral outcomes are assessed by evaluating social skills at key points throughout childhood.