Baby in a bassinet in the NICU

Sections & Programs

Neonatology

Our Section Mission:

The Section of Neonatology is committed to advancing the quality of neonatal care, providing comprehensive training in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine to produce excellent clinicians, educators, clinical and research investigators and promoting high research productivity to contribute in the creation of new knowledge and patient-oriented research studies to improve clinical care.

Erika C. Claud, MD

Erika Claud, MD, Professor of Pediatrics and Grossman Institute for Neuroscience

Section Chief, Neonatology

The Section of Neonatology provides specialized care for newborns with a multitude of complex diseases, seamless access to any specialty services needed, and the full complement of surgical approaches for newborns and infants.  Our neonatologists, who not only work on the University of Chicago campus but also in community hospitals located in the Chicago suburbs and Indiana give families access to excellent neonatal services from a multidisciplinary team with strong history of innovation and family-focused care.

  • Complications related to Prematurity including Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Patent Ductus Arteriosus, Necrotizing Enterocolitis, Intraventricular hemorrhage
  • Care of the Extremely Low Birthweight Infant
  • Complex Congenital Malformations 
  • Pulmonary Hypertension
  • Respiratory Failure
  • Congenital Infection
  • Perinatal Acquired Infection
  • Sepsis
  • Neurological  Injury and Neonatal Seizure
  • ECMO
  • Point of Care Ultrasound
  • Ethics
  • Simulation
  • Neonatal Follow-up

About Our Section

Special Services

The Section of Neonatology provides specialized care for newborns with a multitude of complex diseases, seamless access to any specialty services needed, and the full complement of surgical approaches for newborns and infants.  Our neonatologists, who not only work on the University of Chicago campus but also in community hospitals located in the Chicago suburbs and Indiana give families access to excellent neonatal services from a multidisciplinary team with strong history of innovation and family-focused care.

Infants who spend time in the NICU receive specialized follow-up care from experts in the NICU Follow-up Clinic.  Comprehensive services include those of a neonatologist, nurse case manager, social worker, dietitian, occupational therapist, physical therapist, speech therapist and home health nurse.  In a single visit, a family may receive services from one to all of these professionals. Clinics are held in Comer Children's Hospital on the University of Chicago campus, Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park and Community Hospital in Munster, Indiana.

As one of only 10 regional perinatal centers in Illinois, we serve as a referral center for women with high-risk pregnancies and the babies they carry. Our maternal-fetal medicine specialists provide high-risk obstetrical care to patients referred by physicians from several counties in Illinois and northern Indiana.

Learn more about the Fetal Center 

The University of Chicago Medicine Aeromedical Network (UCAN) provides rapid helicopter transport of critically ill or injured neonatal, pediatric and adult patients.

Learn more about UCAN.

We use state-of-the-art technology such as extracorporeal life support (ECMO) which can be provided for up to three infants at a time with a special group of technicians supplementing our NICU nursing staff..

Learn more about ECMO.

We use medical  simulation and facilitated debriefing to improve the performance of our multidisciplinary team. Simulation, as a form of medical education, allows individuals to practice cognitive, technical and teamwork skills in a deliberate, realistic clinical environment without harming the patient. Our simulation program includes in-situ multidisciplinary mock codes, just-in-time NRP training, multidisciplinary transport simulation, bedside emergency training and task training.

A woman holding a baby

Annual Diana Woo Memorial Lecture

The Diana Woo Memorial Lectureship was established in memory of Dr. Diana Woo, a beloved member of the faculty of the Department of Pediatrics, who passed away in August, 1995.  Dr. Woo was an outstanding clinician who was dedicated to helping families and children she cared for. For many who the privilege of knowing Diana Woo, she will always be remembered for her quick wit, cheerful presence, and compassion. She was wonderful role model for may students and colleagues. This annual lectureship highlights the latest innovations in the field of Neonatology especially ethics, quality of care and early childhood development - the areas closest to Diana's heart.

Stats

  • 71-bed

    Neonatal Care Unit

  • 61

    Average Daily Census (AY19)

  • < 2%

    Mortality Rate VLBW

  • 850

    Patients Admitted Annually (AY19)