Citation #6:
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). (n.d.). Retrieved April 21, 2015, from
http://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=the-neonatal-intensive-care-unit-nicu90-P02389
Abstract/Summary of the source in your own words (5-6 sentences):
The majority of babies that are admitted into the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit are premature
(born prior to 37 weeks of pregnancy), have a birth weight that is lower than 5.5 pounds, or they
have been diagnosed with some type of condition that needs special care. Almost half a million
babies are born premature in the United States, and a high number of these babies have low
birth weights. Twins, triplets, and multiples are admitted into the NICU a lot of the time
because they are normally born early, and they usually have low birth weights. Premature
babies who have medical conditions like heart problems, infections, or birth defects are cared
for in the NICU too. There are many factors that can increase a baby’s chance of being admitted
into the NICU and place them at high risk. Maternal factors include: Being younger than 16 or
older than 40, drug or alcohol use, diabetes, hypertension, bleeding, sexually transmitted
diseases, and premature rupture of the membranes. Delivery factors include: Fetal distress,
breech delivery presentation, meconium, nuchal cord, and forceps or cesarean delivery. Baby
factors include: Low birth weight, birth defects, medication or resuscitation in the delivery
room, respiratory distress, infections, seizures, and hypoglycemia.
Evaluation of the source in your own judgment as it relates to the topic (5-6 sentences) –
consider the scholarship, credibility, intended audience, and the overall contribution to your
topic:
I think that the scholarship and credibility of this article is in extremely good standing, as it is an
article written by the health provider’s at Stanford Children’s Health. The intended audience for
this article includes individuals who are interested in learning more about what actually
accounts for a baby to be admitted into the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and parents could also
use this article to prepare them if they fear having a premature baby. Individuals who are
interested in the field of nursing might also find this article useful in giving them an explanation
of what this specialty in nursing consists of. This article contributes a great amount to my
overall topic because not only does it give the audience an idea of what exactly the NICU is, but
it also provides a better understanding for what exactly is required for a baby to be admitted
into the NICU.