NIDCAP: Giving premature babies a chance

Photo of a baby's hand holding his father's index fingerThe parents of a premature baby born at Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont are launching a fundraising campaign to have the Neonatology Department NIDCAP-certified*. Explanation.

Being born premature means facing a terrifying world!

I give to implement the NIDCAP program

At birth, a premature baby weighs only a few hundred grams and often suffers from illnesses related to his condition, such as:

  • Respiratory distress
  • Cardiac, pulmonary, and intestinal complications
  • Cerebral hemorrhage
  • Nosocomial infection
  • Retinopathy that can lead to blindness
  • Brain damage

These diseases can lead to after-effects and even death. Therefore, the NICU care team is constantly monitoring the baby. Training this team to work within the framework of an individualized neonatal assessment and developmental care program is therefore more than relevant. But this program has a cost: $156,000, hence the need for a fundraising campaign.

What is a premature baby?

One who arrives before term. A child whose birth weight is less than or equal to 2,500 grams or who is born after a gestation period of less than 37 weeks.

NIDCAP Certification: For comprehensive early developmental care

photo of Patrick Boulé, Kira Zoellner and their children, one of whom was born premature. The couple wants to raise $156,000 to implement the NICAP program at HMR

Patrick Boulé, Kira Zoellner and their children, one of whom was born premature. The couple wants to raise $156,000 to implement the NICAP program at HMR

NIDCAP certification is a care program for premature newborns. Its goal is to optimize the neurobehavioral development of these infants, born too early, by reducing stress and meeting their specific needs in collaboration with their families.

Implemented early, this comprehensive neonatal stimulation program makes a huge difference in the lives of premature babies, their families, and the community!

Stimulate, stimulate, and stimulate again

The care protocol aims to stimulate all spheres of development based on a wide-range of variables: nervous system, motor development, sleep-wake cycle, attention, interactions, self-regulation capacity.

Lasting positive effects on children’s development

  • Decrease in hospitalization time and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
  • Disappearance of some long-term complications (cerebral palsy, hearing and visual deficits).
  • Significant decrease in moderate mental retardation at 18 months.
  • Positive effect on brain function and long-term school functioning.

A complex, extensive and therefore costly training

The NIDCAP approach:

  • Requires extensive training but provides professionals and families with quality resources for developmentally appropriate care.
  • Is appropriate for preterm and full-term newborns in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Observation is typically performed before, during and after a sequence of care.

Thank you for giving generously!

With your support, Patrick Boulé and Kira Zoellner want to raise $156,000 to implement this program at the HMR.

Premature babies deserve every chance to grow up healthy.

I give to implement the NIDCAP program

 

* NIDCAP stands for Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program.

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