Danat Al Emarat offers neonatal care to ensure not just a safe, but also a happier future for premature babies
PARTNER CONTENT: Neonatal care plays a critical role in safeguarding the lives of premature newborns, ensuring they receive the specialised care needed to thrive. With one of the largest and most advanced neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in the UAE, Danat Al Emarat Hospital stands at the forefront of this vital service.
Led by Dr Vineet Gupta, Consultant in Paediatrics and Neonatology, the hospital’s NICU provides state-of-the-art care for the region’s most fragile newborns, combining cutting-edge technology with a holistic, family-centred approach to support both babies and parents throughout the challenging journey.
“Neonatal care is usually divided into three levels. We are a level three neonatal ICU, which means we take care of the most complex and premature babies. Currently, we are caring for babies born at 22 weeks, known as the peri-viability stage,” he explains.
These fragile infants face numerous challenges, but with state-of-the-art facilities and a dedicated team, their chances of survival and a healthy future increase significantly.
The reasons for preterm births vary, but Dr Gupta highlights several key factors. “Maternal health conditions like diabetes, hypertension, infections, as well as lifestyle factors like smoking and alcohol, can increase the risk of preterm births. Environmental and psychological factors also play a role.”
Going the holistic extra mile
At Danat Al Emarat, these challenges are met with an array of specialised services designed to give every baby the best chance at survival.
The hospital’s NICU boasts cutting-edge technology that mimics the conditions of the womb, crucial for the survival of extremely premature babies.
“We have the most advanced ventilators and incubators, and a highly trained team of neonatal consultants and nurses. Our team operates 24/7, with consultants on hand at all times,” says Dr Gupta.
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The NICU provides advanced therapies such as high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, nitric oxide therapy, and therapeutic cooling to prevent brain injuries. This comprehensive approach ensures that these fragile babies receive the holistic care they need.
What sets Danat Al Emarat apart is its multidisciplinary approach to care. The team includes neonatologists, neonatal nurses, respiratory therapists, occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, and specialised paediatric pharmacists. “We ensure that babies are not just managed medically but are also supported physically and cognitively,” he explains.
The hospital’s occupational therapists, for example, work to stimulate brain development and encourage muscle growth, giving babies the best possible start in life.
A family-centric approach at Danat Al Emarat
Family involvement is another cornerstone of the hospital’s neonatal care philosophy. “We believe that family involvement is crucial to the health and development of premature babies,” Dr Gupta says.
Parents are encouraged to participate in their baby’s care, from skin-to-skin contact (kangaroo care) to feeding and diaper changing.
The NICU even offers support groups and individual counselling to help parents navigate the emotional challenges of caring for a premature infant. In addition to its outstanding clinical care, Danat Al Emarat is also committed to research and innovation.
“We are not just leading in neonatal care, but also in research and development,” he says. As chair of the hospital’s Research and Development Committee, he is spearheading initiatives to reduce complications in preterm babies and improve outcomes.
“We are working on strategies, including the use of AI, to help manage these babies’ oxygen requirements, which can prevent conditions like retinopathy of prematurity – the leading cause of blindness in preterm babies.”
“Discharging a baby from the NICU is a carefully managed process, with every step taken to prepare parents for the transition. “We start a step-down approach, gradually involving parents more in their baby’s care as the discharge date approaches,” Dr Gupta explains.
Parents are given the opportunity to ‘room in’ with their baby before discharge, gaining the confidence they need to care for their baby at home.
With a commitment to not only ensuring survival but also fostering long-term health and development, the hospital’s NICU sets a gold standard in neonatal care, reassuring families that their babies are in the best possible hands.
For more information, visit danatalemarat.ae
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