Our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is one of the most important parts of our Paediatrics & Neonatology department. It is a specially designed unit where critically ill or premature newborns receive round-the-clock monitoring and treatment from a dedicated team.
We understand that having your newborn in the NICU is an overwhelming experience for any parent. At Mahalakshmi Multispeciality Hospital, we make sure that families are informed and involved at every step. Our nursing staff and neonatologists are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Who Needs NICU Care?
Not every newborn needs NICU admission. Babies who typically require NICU care include:
- Premature babies born before 34 weeks of pregnancy
- Babies weighing less than 1.8 kg at birth
- Newborns with breathing difficulties or low oxygen levels
- Babies who had complications during labour or delivery
- Newborns showing signs of infection (neonatal sepsis)
- Babies with jaundice requiring phototherapy
- Newborns with blood sugar problems (hypoglycaemia)
- Babies born to diabetic or high-risk mothers who need observation
What Equipment and Support is Available in Our NICU?
Our NICU hospital in Kallakurichi is equipped to handle both moderate and serious neonatal cases. We provide:
Incubators and Radiant Warmers
These keep premature or low birth weight babies at the right temperature, since their bodies cannot yet regulate heat on their own.
Phototherapy Units
Blue light therapy is used to treat jaundice safely and effectively. It breaks down the excess bilirubin in the baby's blood without the need for medication.
Continuous Monitoring
Every baby in our NICU is connected to monitors that track heart rate, oxygen levels, breathing, and temperature around the clock. Any changes are immediately noticed by our nursing team.
Oxygen Therapy and CPAP Support
Babies with breathing difficulties receive the right level of oxygen support — from simple oxygen masks to CPAP machines that help keep the airways open.
IV Lines and Nutrition Support
Babies who cannot feed by mouth receive nutrition through intravenous lines or feeding tubes. Our team adjusts the feeds based on the baby's weight and condition.
Blood Transfusion Services
When a newborn has severe jaundice or anaemia that does not respond to standard treatment, exchange transfusion or blood transfusion is done safely in our unit.
Parent Support in the NICU
We believe that parents are an essential part of their baby's recovery. Our NICU team encourages parents to:
- Visit their baby regularly during visiting hours
- Participate in skin-to-skin contact (Kangaroo Mother Care) when the baby is stable — this has been proven to improve outcomes for premature babies
- Learn how to feed, bathe, and care for their baby before going home
- Ask questions freely — our staff is always ready to explain what is happening with your baby in simple language
We discharge babies from the NICU only when they are feeding well, maintaining their temperature, gaining weight, and are medically stable. Before discharge, parents are given a complete plan for home care, follow-up visits, and warning signs to watch for.