Children’s of Alabama is expanding its neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The NICU is a Level IV unit now with an additional six beds totaling 54 private rooms for neonates and infants. The unit houses four ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) rooms, and it is the only unit in the state that provides dialysis for premature infants.

In recent years, Children’s has experienced record-breaking patient volumes and an increased need for inpatient space to treat infants. The complexity of care provided requires the largest team at the hospital: 250 staff members caring for preterm and term neonates with a wide range of conditions. More than 400 babies each year rely on the care of the Children’s of Alabama NICU.

The expanded NICU area will house state-of-the-art facilities like an additional dedicated nurse station, medication and milk storage room, and equipment room. The project also includes specialty equipment, technology, and furniture.