The NICU, or Neonatal Critical Care Unit (NCCU) is an area of the hospital that offers advanced technology and is staffed by highly trained professionals who provide expert care for premature and critically ill newborns.
After delivery, your baby will be assessed by a provider who may recommend transferring them to the NICU for a higher level of care. If your baby is born outside OSF Children’s Hospital, they’ll be transported by ambulance or helicopter. Our experienced transport team, which includes specialized neonatal nurses and neonatal respiratory therapists. Your infant will travel in an incubator to maintain warmth and allow continuous medical support.
Once your baby is admitted, a dedicated team—including neonatal nurses, advanced practice providers, pediatric residents, neonatal fellows, neonatologists and specialized care providers trained in newborn care—will ensure your baby is settled in their room. Until you arrive, our team can connect virtually with you via video to keep you updated on your baby’s condition and progress.
The NICU offers the most advanced services in the area, from equipment and expertise to care for infants as early as 22 weeks gestation. We provide treatment for a broad spectrum of conditions, including:
The NICU offers specialized treatments and services to support the health and well-being of critically ill infants. We offer the following services:
Babies in the NICU can face a wide range of complex challenges. Our team includes providers trained in over 25 pediatric medical and surgical subspecialties, offering the most comprehensive and advanced care available in the region to meet your child’s unique needs. Some of the pediatric specialty services include:
Each private room is equipped with the most advanced technology to care for your baby. Your baby’s bed is specially made and includes a NicView camera that allows you to see them if you can't be there in person.
Each room has a couch for caregivers and low lighting to keep your baby comfortable. There are sleeping rooms available on the floor for parents or family members who need to rest but would like to stay close to their child. The dining room is available for parents and visitors as a quiet place to find drinks and snacks, eat your complimentary meals or talk with other NCCU parents.
Our Neurodevelopmental Follow-Up Program is dedicated to supporting infants who are born prematurely or who have conditions that may impact their long-term development. We provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary care to monitor and assess motor, cognitive and behavioral development during the critical early years of life.
Through specialized evaluations, our expert team, including neonatologists, developmental specialists and therapists, identifies potential delays and connects families with personalized interventions and resources to optimize each child’s growth and development. Our goal is to ensure that every baby receives the best possible start, helping them achieve their full potential.
Since 1992, our NICU has been part of the Vermont Oxford Network (VON), a global community of more than 1,400 neonatal centers working to improve newborn care. Through this affiliation, our team tracks progress, finds ways to improve and follows best practices based on worldwide data.
By joining VON’s improvement programs, we make care better for newborns and their families. VON also supports family-centered care and health equity, ensuring every baby gets the best start in life.
OSF Children’s Hospital provides specialized care for newborns across central Illinois, partnering with local hospitals and collaborating with University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria neonatologists (insert link) to deliver high-quality care close to home.
Our NICU leads the North Central Perinatal Network, overseeing 25 counties and encompassing nearly 30 hospitals throughout Central Illinois. We work with other providers throughout the state, providing oversight and education to ensure newborns and infants receive the best care.
As a comprehensive academic medical center and a training site for pediatric residents and neonatal fellows, our teams conduct and share research in neonatal care, contributing to regional and national discussions.
Our focus areas include simulation and virtual reality platforms to promote education in neonatal procedures, utilizing machine learning to help predict neonatal disease and deficiencies in health disparities, and more.
