Advancements made in the Sheldon B. Korones Newborn Center contributed to a decrease in the number of very low birth weight babies, along with improved outcomes.

• The percent of babies with lung disease declined by 56 percent from 2006 to 2013. Regional One Health ranks among the top quartile of 1,500 NICUs worldwide.
• The percent of babies who suffer from retinal blood vessels that do not fully develop declined by 75 percent from 2005 to 2013.
• The percentage of very low birth weight babies receiving breast milk increased by 64 percent from 2008 to 2014, lowering the risk of infection and disease in these fragile newborns.
• Hospital-acquired infections have decreased by 74 percent from 2008 to 2014.
• The chance for survival increased by 7 percent for babies born with birth weights less than 1,500 grams (3 pounds, 4 ounces) from 2007 to 2014.
• Babies surviving without complications improved by 48 percent from 2008 to 2014.

Despite these advancements, it can still be difficult for families to stay optimistic while their newborn is being treated in the NICU, and Dr. Dhanireddy understands their apprehension. “It can be intimidating for new parents to walk through the NICU,” he says. “Some babies are smaller than the palm of your hand. Many are on life support systems that are hooked up to multiple monitors. Some of the babies are even on respirators and intravenous nutrition. It can be overwhelming.”

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