NICU and Newborn Care at Arka Anugraha Hospital, JP Nagar
Reviewed by Dr. Smrithi Bhagiratha
MBBS, MD (Pediatrics)
Fellowship in Pediatric Genetics
A NICU, or neonatal intensive care unit, is a specialised hospital unit for newborns who need extra medical support, whether born early, born small, or facing a health complication in the first days of life, according to Cleveland Clinic. Most newborns never need one, but knowing what it offers can ease the uncertainty for families who do.
What a NICU Is and When a Newborn Needs One
A NICU provides round-the-clock monitoring and specialised equipment for newborns who need help with breathing, feeding, temperature regulation, or recovery from a difficult delivery. Common reasons for admission include premature birth, low birth weight, breathing difficulty, or significant jaundice.
Understanding NICU Levels of Care
NICUs are organised by level of complexity they can manage. According to Cleveland Clinic, higher-level units are equipped for newborns with the most complex medical needs, while lower-level nurseries manage healthy newborns and milder concerns. Ask any hospital directly which level of NICU care they provide, and what happens if a case needs a higher level elsewhere.
Premature Baby Care and Kangaroo Mother Care
Premature babies often need extra support with temperature regulation, feeding, and weight gain. Kangaroo mother care, skin-to-skin contact between a baby and parent, is a well-supported practice that can help stabilise a premature baby’s temperature and heart rate, and support bonding and feeding, alongside standard medical care rather than instead of it.
Newborn Jaundice and Feeding Concerns
Mild jaundice, a yellowing of the skin from a normal newborn liver adjustment, is common and often resolves on its own. More significant jaundice may need light therapy and closer monitoring, which is one of the more common reasons for a short NICU stay. Feeding difficulty in the first days is another common, usually resolvable, reason for extra support.
What to Expect During a NICU Stay, and After Discharge
Length of stay depends entirely on the reason for admission and how quickly the baby stabilises. Before discharge, parents are walked through feeding, warning signs to watch for at home, and when a follow-up visit is needed. Our growth and milestones guide is a useful next read once you are home and settling into routine well-child visits.
About Arka Anugraha Hospital and Dr. Smrithi Bhagiratha
Arka Anugraha Hospital is a multispeciality and integrative care hospital in JP Nagar, South Bengaluru. Pediatric care at Arka is led by Dr. Smrithi Bhagiratha, who trained in general pediatrics, neonatal care, and emergency care at JSS Medical College and Hospital, Mysuru, and holds a Fellowship in Pediatric Genetics. She is one of four senior doctors who anchor Arka’s clinical approach, alongside colleagues in surgery, women’s health, and integrative gastroenterology.
The hospital’s approach is root-cause care: looking past a single symptom to a child’s overall growth, development, and long-term health, with every option explained clearly before a decision is made. Dr. Smrithi Bhagiratha’s training includes neonatal routine care and emergencies, alongside her broader pediatric and genetics background.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A NICU is a specialised unit for newborns needing extra medical support, for reasons like premature birth, low birth weight, breathing difficulty, or significant jaundice, according to Cleveland Clinic.
Kangaroo mother care is skin-to-skin contact between a baby and parent, which can help stabilise a premature baby’s temperature and heart rate and support bonding, alongside standard medical care.
Length of stay depends entirely on the reason for admission and how quickly the baby stabilises; there is no single typical duration.
Follow the feeding, warning-sign, and follow-up guidance given at discharge closely, and keep scheduled well-child visits so growth and development are tracked from the start.
Poor feeding, unusual drowsiness, breathing difficulty, or worsening jaundice all warrant an urgent call to your pediatrician or a same-day visit.
Explore Arka Recipes
Discover recipes that blend taste with health, crafted by our experts for your well-being.
Arka Diagnostics
Discover groundbreaking diagnostic services exclusive to India, now available at Arka Health, Bangalore
Social Share
Related Articles
Have a Newborn Who May Need Extra Support?
We can share a short guide explaining what a NICU stay typically involves, how newborns are monitored and cared for, and the important questions you may want to ask your baby's care team.
Get the NICU Parent GuideTell us about your baby's situation, and a care coordinator will connect you with the right information and guidance as promptly as possible.