If your premature infant (preemie) is admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) after birth, you will find out about new technologies, a new medical language, and new rules and procedures. You will depend on the NICU staff members to know how to care for your infant and to be your teachers. With their help, you can quickly learn about the technology, your infant's needs, and what you can do for your infant.

 

Bonaire is a small island and does not have a neonatal intensive care unit.

That is why we are striving to get the funds to build one.

We are raising money to buy :

• Isolette or overhead heater.
• Temperature probe, to keep track of body temperature.
• Cardiorespiratory monitor, to keep track of breathing and heart rate.
• Pulse oximeter to keep track of how much oxygen is in the blood.

Additional medical needs, other tests and equipment including:

• Transcutaneous oxygen and/or carbon dioxide monitor, to constantly measure these levels in the blood without using a needle.
• Intravenous (IV) site, for giving medicine, fluids, and feedings.
• Umbilical catheter, for giving medicine, fluids, and feedings, and for drawing blood.
• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), for help with breathing (usually for mild to moderate apnea of prematurity and mild lung problems or for weaning from a ventilation machine).
• Ventilator, for help with breathing.
• Cranial ultrasound, to check for brain bleeding or damage, usually between days 3 and 7 after birth.
• Chest X-ray, to check for lung damage and to check the positioning of an endotracheal tube if one is used to assist with breathing.
• Abdominal X-ray, to check the intestines for necrotizing enterocolitis and to check the position of the umbilical catheter.
• Echocardiogram, to check the heart for congenital heart defects or patent ductus arteriosus.