At Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), we offer specialized care for our tiniest patients with neurocritical conditions. Working in tandem with our  Children's Neuroscience Center at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, we specialize in the advanced treatment and management of neurological disorders in newborns and infants. Our state-of-the-art facility provides minimally invasive options, such as endoscopic brain surgery, as well as comprehensive care that spans diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of complex neurological conditions.

Contact Us Refer a Patient

At the heart of our services is a multidisciplinary team of affiliated providers, including neonatologists, pediatric neurologists, epileptologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists and neuropsychologists. This collaborative approach provides your baby with personalized, cutting-edge care. We utilize the latest surgical, diagnostic and imaging technologies, equipped with facilities for diagnostic electroencephalography (EEG), video EEG monitoring, stereotactic EEG (SEEG), electromyography (EMG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG).

Our affiliated pediatric neurosurgeons are pioneers in their field, leading robust research programs that investigate new treatments for conditions such as pediatric brain tumors, spasticity, traumatic brain injury and hydrocephalus. Our efforts in innovation and excellence have earned us a national ranking by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top children's hospitals in pediatric Neurology & Neurosurgery.

From the initial diagnosis through treatment and beyond, we are committed to supporting you and your baby every step of the way, providing tailored education and comprehensive support services designed to improve outcomes and enhance lives.

Unique Challenges for Neurological NICU Patients

Babies with neurological conditions in the NICU face unique challenges that necessitate specialized care approaches. Due to situations of compromised health, these babies are particularly vulnerable to infections, requiring stringent infection control measures to protect them. Their complex medical needs also mean that they require intricate medical interventions, consistent and detailed monitoring and, occasionally, lifesaving surgeries. Each aspect of your baby’s care is carefully coordinated to enhance outcomes in an environment tailored to their specific needs.

Family-Centered Care

In our NICU, we understand and sympathize with the emotional and psychological challenges that families face when their baby is in critical care. We emphasize open, honest and frequent communication to keep your family well-informed about your baby’s progress and ongoing care plans. We also encourage your family to be involved in your baby’s care, which is vital for emotional bonding and the baby's development, enhancing the efficacy of medical care and promoting positive outcomes.

Recognizing the importance of support during this stressful time, our NICU offers a comprehensive range of services designed to help your family cope and participate in your baby's care. These services include psychological support, educational sessions that explain your baby's condition in understandable terms, and care coordination to assist your family in navigating the health care process. We also provide access to counseling and support groups where your family can meet others facing similar challenges, fostering a community of support and shared experiences.

Learn more about family-centered care »

Conditions We Treat

We specialize in the treatment of a wide range of neurological conditions and brain injuries that affect infants. Our affiliated team is equipped to handle complex cases, providing comprehensive care and utilizing advanced technologies to treat conditions, including:

  • Arterial Ischemic Stroke (AIS): Arterial Ischemic Stroke in infants occurs when a blood clot obstructs a cerebral artery, cutting off blood flow to a part of the brain. Treatment focuses on restoring blood flow quickly to minimize brain damage. Our approach includes thrombolytic therapies, supportive care to control symptoms and prevent further injury, and monitoring to detect and manage complications early.
  • Cerebral Sinovenous Thrombosis (CSVT): Cerebral Sinovenous Thrombosis involves a clot in the brain’s venous sinuses, which can cause blood to back up and lead to hemorrhage or stroke. Treatment typically involves anticoagulants to dissolve the clot, interventions to reduce intracranial pressure if necessary, and supportive therapies aimed at preserving neurological function.
  • Epilepsy: Epilepsy or seizures in infants can present unique challenges due to the developing brain's susceptibility to recurrent seizures. Our treatment plans may include antiepileptic medications, ketogenic diets, or more advanced interventions such as neurosurgery or vagus nerve stimulation, depending on the severity and response to initial treatments.
  • Hemorrhagic Stroke: Hemorrhagic Stroke results from a ruptured blood vessel in or around the brain, leading to bleeding that damages brain cells. Our NICU provides acute management that includes controlling bleeding, reducing pressure in the brain and surgery if needed. Long-term care involves rehabilitation and monitoring to support recovery and mitigate the risk of further bleeding.
  • Hydrocephalus: Hydrocephalus is characterized by an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain's ventricles, causing increased pressure inside the skull. It is often treated surgically with the implantation of a shunt system to drain excess fluid, or through endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV), which allows CSF to bypass the blockage naturally.

Our NICU is committed to providing individualized care tailored to the specific needs of each infant, utilizing a multidisciplinary approach. Each plan is designed not only to treat the immediate health problem but also to promote long-term neurological health and development.

Advanced Care, Services and Treatments

The NICU at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital provides advanced care, services and treatments that are critical for the survival and development of infants with neurological conditions, including:

  • Specialized surgeries: These are critical for conditions such as hydrocephalus and intractable epilepsy, where conventional treatments may not suffice.
  • Therapeutic cooling: Utilized to minimize neurological damage from certain conditions, this treatment can be pivotal in improving long-term outcomes.
  • Developmental support services: We offer comprehensive services including physical therapy and specialized nutritional plans, designed to support the overall development and well-being of our infants.

Caring for newborns with neurological issues is an intricate practice that demands precision and gentleness. Our NICU uses advanced technologies to monitor brain activity and other vital signs. . Our multidisciplinary team works collaboratively to tailor comprehensive and compassionate care to the specific needs of your baby. This integrated approach is what sets our NICU apart as a leader in neonatal care, dedicated to enhancing patient outcomes and providing support to families during these challenging times.

Understanding the challenges your family faces when your baby is hospitalized, we also offer accommodations through the Ronald McDonald House of Houston, conveniently located on the 7th floor of our hospital. This facility allows families to stay close to their children without the added stress of long-distance travel and accommodation expenses, providing comfort during difficult times.

Our Team

Our affiliated neonatal neurological care team at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital is composed of a multidisciplinary group of highly specialized professionals, including neonatologists, pediatric neurologists, pediatric neurosurgeons, pediatric neuroradiologists, geneticists, and specialty trained neonatal nurses. This team also features physical and occupational therapists, developmental pediatricians, as well as speech and feeding therapists, all working collaboratively to provide comprehensive care for babies with neurological disorders.

Our NICU nurses bring critical skills to the team, bolstered by specialized training and certifications essential for delivering high-level neonatal care. These certifications include the Certified Neonatal Nurse (RNC-NIC), which validates a nurse's experience in neonatal care, Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), which equips nurses to manage severe, life-threatening situations effectively in neonates. Regular mandatory continuing education sessions help team members to be proficient with the latest practices and technologies, keeping our care at the cutting edge and safeguarding the health and development of our most vulnerable patients. These collaborative and specialized efforts across various disciplines within the hospital underscore our commitment to delivering the highest quality of care for your child.

About Us

The NICU at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital is a center of excellence for neonatal neurological care, known for its proven expertise and successful outcomes. Our Level IV NICU facility reflects our commitment to high standards of care and the use of state-of-the-art treatments and technologies.

Our care is comprehensive and family-centered, addressing all aspects of a baby’s health from nutritional support to developmental therapies, so each child receives care tailored to their specific needs. Moreover, we are committed to continuous improvement, consistently educating our staff, upgrading our facilities and technology, and integrating the latest research findings into our practices.

At Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, we understand the immense challenges and emotional strains that come with having a newborn in intensive care. We are committed to providing not only exceptional clinical care but also the compassion, support and respect that your family needs during this critical time. Choosing us means choosing a partner who will walk with you every step of the way, dedicated to delivering the best outcomes and comprehensive care for your child.

Contact Us

To contact Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital, please fill out the form below.

Thank
You!

Thank you for contacting Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital. We have received your inquiry, and a team member will contact you soon.

If you need more immediate assistance, please call us at (713) 704-KIDS (5437).