Why Choose UCSF’s Neuro-Intensive Care Nursery?
The Neuro-Intensive Care Nursery (NICN) at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital was the first program of its kind in the United States. An integral part of the Pediatric Brain Center, the NICN provides a unique model of brain-focused care that incorporates the combined expertise of board-certified neonatologists, neonatal neurologists, neonatal epileptologists, pediatric neurosurgeons and neuroradiologists. This multidisciplinary team delivers a novel approach to evaluation and treatment designed to provide the most effective care for newborns at high risk for short-term brain injury and long-term disability.
Highlights
- World leaders in neonatology, neonatal neurology, neonatal neuroradiology, neonatal epilepsy and interventional radiology.
- The first MRI-compatible incubator was developed at UCSF and allows for safer and easier MRI imaging of extremely premature infants.
- The nursery was one of the first to use hypothermia to reduce neurological damage in babies with neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).
- Continuous video-EEG (24/7) application and interpretation.
Experience & Expertise
The NICN offers the full spectrum of board certified, sub-specialists experienced in brain-focused care
- Neonatologists
- Neonatal neurologists
- Pediatric stroke neurologists
- Neonatal epileptologists
- Pediatric neurosurgeons
- Pediatric neuroradiologists
- Interventional neuroradiologists
As well as, an advanced practice nurse coordinator dedicated to Neuro-Intensive Care Nursery and neonatal nurses specially trained in brain care
Innovation & Research
- Neuroprotective study using erythropoietin (EPO) in combination with hypothermia
- BAMRI: Birth asphyxia MRI study – Multiple MRI’s correlating with follow-up and outcomes
- PREMRI: Premature MRI study – Multiple MRI’s during infant’s development correlating with follow-up and outcomes
- Study evaluating the effects of cooling therapy during transport
- Ongoing clinical research trials for brain-focused care