Ascension Saint Alexius is excited to announce that it has earned approval to expand its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. With this approval, the facility can move forward with plans to add 14 bassinets, which will enhance access for infants requiring this high level of care.
The Saint Alexius campus houses its own Women’s and Children’s Hospital, which possesses a number of care teams that provide personalized healthcare for moms and babies. The teams here specialize in some of the most in-demand services including gynecological cancer care, postpartum rehab services, autism research, 24/7 OB emergency care, breastfeeding support, maternal-fetal medicine, neonatal specialty care and mental and emotional health support for new moms.
The hospital’s NICU is graded as a Level III, the second highest distinction in the state of Illinois, and is able to provide advanced care for ill and premature newborns.
“Our multidisciplinary pediatric team performs incredible, life-saving work on a daily basis here at Saint Alexius,” said Dr. Aditya Neravetla Chief Medical Officer, Ascension Saint Alexius. “By expanding our NICU operations we are better equipped to meet the growing needs of our communities."
The need for NICU services is a growing trend across the United States, and Saint Alexius is constantly working to proactively meet those needs. In 2023, nearly 11% of live births in Illinois were preterm and just over 10% of these newborns were admitted to a NICU. According to the CDC, the percentage of infants admitted to a NICU has increased among all maternal age groups over the last eight years with the highest increases among mothers between the ages of 20 and 39.
