Texas Children's Hospital is considered one of the best neonatal hospitals in the country. The level II and level III nurseries at the Texas Children’s Newborn Center® compose the largest neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in the United States. Our newborn center has:

• A total of 140 beds
• The capacity to treat over 2,900 tiny patients each year
• Unlimited parental visiting privileges
• Sleeping accommodations for parents
• A sibling room
• Environmental controls to minimize the effects of light and sound
• State-of-the-art nutrition, monitoring and respiratory support
• A pharmacy specifically for preparing infant prescriptions

Both nurseries use unique environmental controls to positively impact newborns’ development. Less bedside activity, soft lights and low noise levels cause minimal stimulation and allow babies to rest. Lower stress levels mean more “calm-but-alert” states, less irritation, and better sleeping patterns.

As in level III, patient-specific treatment programs minimize the number of tests and procedures and eliminate unnecessary discomfort and disruption during the baby’s stay – all key components to recovery.

Respiratory difficulties are common in the smallest of infants, so advanced respiratory care – including high frequency ventilation, nitric oxide therapy, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and gene and molecular therapy – is readily available.