The following is a list of some of the machines and equipment that are used to help premature or sick babies:

Bililights: The bright blue fluorescent lights placed over the baby’s incubator used to treat jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes due to accumulation of a waste product called bilirubin in the blood). Babies with jaundice usually receive phototherapy treatment for three to seven days.

Blood pressure monitor: A machine connected to a small blood pressure cuff wrapped around a baby’s arm or leg. The cuff automatically takes the baby’s blood pressure at regular times and displays the numbers on a screen.

Cardiopulmonary monitor: A machine that tracks a baby’s heart and breathing rates, and is connected to him by small adhesive monitoring pads placed on his chest. The monitor displays information on the screen, which can be printed onto paper. If a baby’s heart or breathing rate becomes too fast or too slow, an alarm will sound.

Central line: An intravenous line inserted into a vein, often in the arm, and threaded from there into a larger vein in the body close to the heart. Used to deliver medicines or nutritional solutions that would be irritating to smaller veins. A PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) line is a type of central line, which is placed in one of the major blood vessels. HICKMAN® catheters and BROVIAC® catheters are common types of central lines inserted into the jugular (neck) vein. HICKMAN® and BROVIAC® are registered trademarks of C.R. Bard, Inc., and its related company, BCR, Inc.

C-PAP (continuous positive airway pressure): Air is delivered to a baby's lungs through either small tubes in the baby’s nose or through a tube that has been inserted into her windpipe. The tubes are attached to a ventilator (respirator), which helps the baby breathe, but does not breathe for her.

Endotracheal tube: A small plastic tube, which is inserted through a baby’s nose or mouth down into the trachea (windpipe). The tube is attached to a ventilator (respirator), which can either help a baby breathe (as in C-PAP) or breathe for him.

Incubator: A clear plastic crib that keeps babies warm and helps protect them from germs and noise.

Intravenous line: Most premature and sick babies cannot be fed immediately, so they must receive nutrients and fluids intravenously (through a vein). A doctor or nurse will insert a very small needle or tube into a tiny vein in the baby’s hand, foot, arm, leg or scalp. It is taped in place, and attached to a thin plastic tube (IV line), which goes to an IV pump connected to a pole next to her incubator. A baby also can receive medications and blood through the IV line.

Nasal cannula or nasal prongs: Small plastic tubes that fit into a baby’s nostrils and that deliver oxygen. Nasal prongs are used with a treatment called continuous positive airway pressure (C-PAP), which uses a ventilator to deliver pressurized air to the baby’s lungs.

Oxygen hood: A clear plastic box that fits over a baby’s head and supplies him with oxygen. This is used for babies who can breathe on their own, but still need some extra oxygen.

Pulse oximeter: A small U-shaped device that is wrapped around a baby’s foot or hand and secured with a stretchy bandage. It uses a light sensor to help determine if the baby has enough oxygen in her blood. This sensor does not hurt the baby at all. It helps doctors and nurses determine whether she needs more or less oxygen, while reducing the need for painful blood tests.

Radiant warmer: An open bed with an overhead heating source that provides heat to a baby. A warmer may be used instead of an incubator (a clear plastic crib) if the baby needs to be handled frequently.

Respirator: See ventilator.

Umbilical catheter: A baby’s umbilical cord has two arteries and one vein, which end in his belly button. A thin tube (catheter) can be inserted into one of these vessels, most commonly one of the arteries, and threaded to the aorta, the largest artery supplying oxygen to the body. Through this catheter, doctors and nurses can painlessly draw blood (without having to repeatedly stick the baby with needles), and give him fluids, blood, nutrients and medications. A small device can be attached to the catheter to continuously monitor the baby’s blood pressure. One an umbilical catheter is removed, the normal process of closure of these blood vessels occurs, to eventually form a normal "belly button."

Ventilator: A ventilator (also called a respirator) is a mechanical breathing machine that delivers warmed and humidified air to a baby’s lungs. The sickest babies receive mechanical ventilation, meaning that the ventilator temporarily breathes for them while their lungs grow or recover. The air is delivered to the baby’s lungs through an endotracheal tube (a small plastic tube that is inserted through a baby's nose or mouth down into the windpipe). The amount of oxygen, air pressure and number of breaths per minute can be regulated to meet each baby’s needs. Babies with serious breathing problems may be treated with a form of high-frequency ventilation, which delivers small amounts of air at a rapid rate. This treatment may help reduce complications (such as the lung disorder called bronchopulmonary dysplasia) that can occur with mechanical ventilation.

Resource
Children’s Medical Ventures: A major provider of developmentally supportive products for premature babies, healthy newborns and older hospitalized infants. The company offers high quality products and education programs, which promote developmental care of all babies. (800)638-8208