Welcome!

On behalf of the USC Division of Neonatal Medicine (neonatology), the doctors, the nurses and the many other health care professionals caring for the needs of sick babies in our neonatal intensive care units (NICUs, pronounced "nick-you") would like to offer our warmest welcome. The neonatal medical teams in our division, which is part of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Southern California, cover the NICUs at four hospitals:

LAC+USC Women's & Children's Hospital »
Childrens Hospital Los Angeles »
Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center »
Good Samaritan Medical Center »

It is our pledge to parents to be helpful in making their NICU experience as comfortable as possible, and to be sensitive to the diversity of parental backgrounds that are important to decision-making regarding their babies. Of course, having a baby is a very emotional time. Having a baby who requires special attention, such as can be given by specially trained professionals in the NICU, can be very stressful for parents. It is our duty to make your NICU experience as pleasant as possible, and as stress-free as possible, especially when circumstances or choices are very difficult. This we pledge to you.

The parent information we are providing below is the beginning of our work at creating a significant web presence for parents. Please also look outside of this web site under our Links for Parents.

Glossary of Common NICU Medical Problems »
Not to be a substitute for having professionals explain in their words what illness or problem a baby has, this list of medical conditions commonly requiring babies to be in the NICU is helpful for parents to understand the problem and to ask further questions.

CHLA ECMO Information »
This is specifcally for parents who have a baby on ECMO in the NICU.

LAC Breast Feeding Information »
Help is available in the NICU for mothers wishing to breast feed and pump to store breast milk for their babies.