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Critical CareNeonatology

Neonatal Pulmonary Intensive Care Unit

UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals are leading providers of neonatal pulmonary care and treatment. When a child is born with a congenital lung disorder or has severe respiratory problems, it’s vital to get the right care to them very quickly. That's why we have staff members and pediatric pulmonary specialists on-site 24 hours a day, seven days a week in our Neonatal Pulmonary Intensive Care Unit in Oakland. In San Francisco, babies with pulmonary problems get round-the-clock care in our Intensive Care Nursery.

We're one of only four hospitals in California offering extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a treatment that uses a heart-lung bypass system to take over the job of circulating the blood and breathing, giving a baby's heart and lungs a chance to rest and get stronger. We use ECMO to reduce the risk of complications in babies born prematurely (before week 34) and for babies suffering a variety of serious respiratory conditions. Although ECMO is considered a treatment to be undertaken only when absolutely necessary, it can improve an infant's chances of survival by up to 80 percent.

Along with our emphasis on the most advanced neonatal medical care, we also recognize the importance of meeting the emotional and psychological needs of infants and their families. We encourage parents to spend as much time with their baby as possible, and we welcome visits from siblings after they have been screened by our unit services coordinator.

With our neonatal specialists and our nationally recognized ECMO program, we offer our patients a great chance at a healthier future.

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    • U S News and World Report badge recognizing UCSF Benioff among the Best Children's Hospitals for Neonatology, 2024-2025

      Top 10 in the nation for neonatology

    • U S News and World Report badge recognizing UCSF Benioff among the Best Children's Hospitals Ranked in 11 Specialties, 2024-2025

      Ranked among the nation's best in 11 specialties

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