Neonatology

Offering a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to neonatal care, our team includes:

• Neonatologists
• Pediatric specialists
• Neonatal nurse practitioners
• Specially trained nursing staff
• Pediatric social workers
• Physical therapists
• Respiratory therapists
• Dietitians
• Clinical pharmacists

This team works closely with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology to operate the University of Chicago Medicine Perinatal Center. Our center provides comprehensive neonatal and obstetrical diagnostic and treatment facilities in affiliation with community hospitals.

Our neonatology experts provide comprehensive, round-the-clock care for babies with a range of critical health challenges, including complications related to pre-term or cesarean births, fetal anomalies, breathing problems, heart conditions, sepsis and more. 

Out team sees more than 1,000 patients each year — more than 20,000 infant bed-days each year. In addition, we are a referral center for more than 10 community hospitals. Along with our state-of-the-art technology and leading expertise, our physicians are equipped to treat even the most critically ill babies.

We believe in family-centered care. This means taking care of not only the infant, but also the well-being of all affected family members. Our neonatology team regularly hosts a "Parent Night" for family members to meet with health care providers and ask questions. We also sponsor an annual reunion for families and grads of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) so they can meet with their "old NICU friends." Furthermore, we have volunteer "cuddlers" who come and cuddle babies to help them feed and grow.

Helicopter transports are available for critically ill newborns or pregnant women with emergency needs within a 200-mile radius of Chicago through the University of Chicago Medicine Aeromedical Network (UCAN). Ground transportation can also be arranged.

Our neonatology faculty members are active participants in the deliberations that surround care for these babies and, along with their parents, continually revisit the ethical and moral underpinnings of decisions made in the NICU. As part of the University of Chicago's internationally acclaimed MacLean Center for Clinical Medical Ethics, our physicians aim to identify and resolve ethical questions, resulting in increased quality of care and outcomes.

Even our youngest patients benefit from our close ties between research and clinical care. For example, our neonatologists completed a study on the potential benefits of treating premature infants with inhaled nitric oxide. Other major research programs include infectious diseases, perinatal epidemiology, and brain injury and development. Our experts are funded by the National Institutes of Health and the March of Dimes.

Comer Children's Hospital has earned notable honors and distinctions for pediatric care. Our dedicated team upholds a legacy of quality and excellence, providing world-class neonatal care and extensive support for each family.