Rajasri, who had returned to her homeland for her first delivery, was unexpectedly brought to Ernakulam PVS hospital due to high blood
pressure. The baby was born by caesarean section but the respiratory system of the baby was in a serious condition, so he was immediately
connected to ventilator for artificial respiration. The hard work of doctors and nurses finally paid off and the life of the baby saved.
Modern equipments like Ventilator, pulse oxymeter, capnograph, servo-controlled incubator, infusion pump, etc. worked together to save the
baby.
Neonatal intensive care unit section is separated from all other sections. Only mothers of the babies are admitted to the place.22 kids
can be monitored at a time here. Ventilator facility is provided in 8 beds. Each bed has its own centralised oxygen supply. Even the air
that enters the building is made asceptic.
This unit is installed here with the collaboration of famous neonatology centre, Westmead hospital, Sidney. Even babies born at 6 months
of term can be saved without any disabilities with the help of this unit.
Since newborn babies are prone to infection, one nurse per child is provided. To prevent infection nurse looking after one child is not
allowed to touch or go near another. The levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, bicarbonate ,pH etc of premature babies should never vary.
Pulse oxymeter, capnograph, blood gas analyser etc are used to monitor these levels accurately. Moreover, the temperature of the baby
should also be properly maintained. Servo controlled incubator serves this purpose.
Infusion pumps with very fine needles to infuse glucose under careful controls to the veins, Apnoea monitor to check the respiratory level
etc are also present here.
It is always better to keep in mind about the complications that may occur to a newborn during the pregnancy period itself. High blood
pressure, diabetes, Rh-incompatibility, Heavy bleeding etc. during pregnancy may lead to complications in newborns. It is also not rare
that some babies suffer from asphyxia during difficult parturition and as a result, damage to brains may occur. If any of the above said
complications occur, special neonatological care as well as maternal care must be provided.
Dr. P.K. Rajiv, a Master in paediatrics, is the head of the neonatology department Dr. Rajiv, a resident of Kannoor, has obtained training
in paediatric care from Westmead Hospital.
The main aim of this unit is to eradicate problems associated with delivery and to provide better neonatological disabilities by 2000 A.D.