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Manipal Hospital launches “Nitric Oxide Therapy system” for critically ill babies for the first time in South India at the Neonatal ICU
 Manipal Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) today holds a get to g ether of the “Small Wonders” – newborn patients who have been treated in the unit over the past 18 years with the launch of three new pioneering services – ‘Nitric Oxide Therapy’, a ‘neonatal Parents Support Group’ and a ‘neonatal helpline’ for doctors.
The NICU at Manipal Hospital has been one of the longest serving NICU in India (18 yrs) and is one of the largest and busiest NICU in the country with a list of many first’s to its credits. The unit is now acclaimed as the major referral centre for sick neonates and even High-risk pregnancies in this re g ion.
Nitric Oxide Therapy: For the first time in South India, babies (neonates) who suffer from severe respiratory failure due to Pulmonary Hypertension will be treated using Nitric Oxide Therapy at Manipal Hospital NICU. For babies with Hypoxic Respiratory Failure (HRF), the Nitric Oxide Therapy is a boon. It develops in newborns whose lungs have a persistent pulmonary hypertension and cannot deliver enough oxygen to their bodies, causing them to have severe lack of oxygen. This treatment helps them recover well for a good future ahead.
Neonatal ICU Parents Support Group: Having their critically ill baby treated in an NICU can be a worrisome frightening and traumatic experience for parents. The launch of Neonatal ICU Parents Support Group is an attempt to provide emotional succour to such parents by connecting them to other families who have dealt with a similar situation earlier.
The Neonatal ICU Parents Support Group will strive to give counselling to the parents whose babies are born with complications. It entails coming together of parents and helping each other overcome the crisis and a better understanding of the situation for the new parents. Also it adds to the confidence of a new parent in seeing similar children who suffered in the neonatal period and are now grown up and doing well in their respective field.
Neonatal Helpline for doctors: Neonatal clinical problems are always emergency situations. In order to provide support to neonatal specialists, gynaecologists, perinatologists (foetal medicine specialists) and paediatricians across the country, a 24-hour helpline has been set up at Manipal Hospital NICU. Doctors can call on the helpline number +91-9900115923 and seek clinical support from a specialist neonatologist 24/7, everyday of the year. This is in tune with the neonatology service at MHB being considered now a “National Centre for Excellence in Neonatology”.
Speaking on the occasion Dr. N. Karthik Nagesh, Head of Neonatology Division said, “With the newly launched services at NICU we aspire to provide exceptional treatment to the new born babies. The Nitric Oxide therapy will help us treat babies with persistent pulmonary hypertension with lesser complications and the service will be offered to babies being referred from other hospital NICUs also. We have always aspired to give the best to our patients and with the launch of the Neonatal Parents Support Group we have g one a step ahead to provide the parents the emotional support they need when their child is born with complications.”
Dr. Arvind Shenoi said,” Consultant Neonatology and HOD-Paediatrics, said, “The helpline is aimed towards Doctors, paediatricians, Obstetricians who deal with high risk pregnancy and newborns. The advice will be free of cost by specialists’ neonatology round the clock.
Indira Krishnamoorthy, Homemaker and Parent of Surya Prasad who is 11yrs old today was in the NICU when he was born for almost 3 weeks with a problem called severe Meconium Aspiration syndrome during birth. She said, “the experience was scary and I always wish no mother should ever undergo the experience of having their newborn at the NICU, However I really appreciate the response of the doctors and nursing staff of the NICU who were exceptionally cooperative and the fact that today I have completely forgotten the episode of having my sick child at NICU is the wonderful experience I want to share with other such parents.
Present on the occasion were over 50 young patients who were treated at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit over the 18 years. These children were born with complications and had very less chances of survival but today are leading a healthy normal life, with great aspirations for the future.
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