Frequently Asked Questions

Neonatal Intensive Care is specialized medical care for newborn babies who are premature, have low birth weight, or have serious health complications. Our NICU is equipped with advanced monitoring systems and life-support equipment to provide critical care for the most vulnerable newborns.

Babies may need NICU care if they are born prematurely (before 37 weeks), have breathing difficulties, infections, birth defects, low birth weight, jaundice requiring phototherapy, or if they need specialized monitoring after a difficult delivery. Dr. Desai will assess each baby's individual needs.

Yes, parental involvement is crucial. We encourage parents to visit their baby regularly, participate in kangaroo care (skin-to-skin contact), and be involved in their baby's care plan. Our team will guide you on proper hygiene protocols and visiting hours.

The length of stay varies depending on the baby's condition. Some babies may need only a few days of observation, while premature or critically ill babies might stay for several weeks or months. Dr. Desai will provide a personalized care plan and regular updates on your baby's progress.

The first pediatric visit should typically occur within 3-5 days after birth for newborns. For subsequent check-ups, we follow the recommended schedule at 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, and then annually. Dr. Desai will establish a personalized schedule based on your child's needs.

Please bring your child's immunization records, any previous medical reports, list of current medications, insurance information, and a list of questions or concerns you'd like to discuss. For infants, bring diapers, wipes, and feeding supplies.

During regular check-ups, Dr. Desai monitors developmental milestones including physical growth, motor skills, language development, and social-emotional behavior. If you have concerns between visits about delays in walking, talking, or social interaction, please schedule an appointment for evaluation.

Seek immediate care if your child is under 3 months with a fever over 100.4°F (38°C), if fever persists for more than 3 days, if accompanied by difficulty breathing, severe headache, rash, or if your child appears very lethargic or refuses to eat or drink.

Newborns should have their first visit within 3-5 days after hospital discharge, followed by check-ups at 2 weeks, 1 month, and then monthly for the first 6 months. Dr. Desai will monitor weight gain, feeding patterns, jaundice levels, and overall health during these visits.

Contact Dr. Desai immediately if you notice difficulty breathing, persistent vomiting, fever over 100.4°F, excessive sleepiness or difficulty waking, yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice), fewer than 6 wet diapers per day, or if the baby refuses to feed.

Signs of adequate feeding include 6-8 wet diapers per day, steady weight gain, alertness when awake, and contentment after feeding. Dr. Desai will track your baby's growth on standardized charts and provide guidance on feeding frequency and amount.

Yes, it's normal for newborns to lose 5-10% of their birth weight in the first week. They typically regain this weight by 2 weeks of age. Dr. Desai will closely monitor your baby's weight during follow-up visits to ensure proper growth.

Warning signs include rapid breathing, difficulty feeding, poor weight gain, bluish color around lips or fingernails, excessive sweating during feeding, unusual fatigue, chest pain, fainting, or a heart murmur detected during examination. If you notice these symptoms, schedule an evaluation with Dr. Desai.

A heart murmur is an extra sound during a heartbeat. Many heart murmurs are "innocent" or harmless and don't require treatment. However, some may indicate underlying heart conditions. Dr. Desai will evaluate the murmur and may recommend an echocardiogram or refer to a pediatric cardiologist if needed.

Congenital heart defects affect approximately 1 in 100 babies. Many are mild and may resolve on their own or require minimal intervention. More complex defects may need medication, catheter procedures, or surgery. Early detection through prenatal screening and postnatal examination is crucial for optimal outcomes.

Common diagnostic tests include electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart), chest X-ray, and pulse oximetry. Dr. Desai will determine which tests are appropriate based on symptoms and physical examination findings.

Vaccinations protect children from serious and potentially life-threatening diseases like measles, polio, diphtheria, and whooping cough. They work by helping the body develop immunity before exposure to these diseases. Vaccines are safe, effective, and one of the most important preventive health measures.

The standard immunization schedule starts at birth with Hepatitis B and BCG, followed by vaccines at 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 15 months, 18 months, and booster doses at 5 years and beyond. Dr. Desai follows national and international guidelines for immunization.

Vaccines are thoroughly tested for safety and are very safe. Common mild side effects include temporary soreness at injection site, low-grade fever, or mild fussiness, which typically resolve within 1-2 days. Serious side effects are extremely rare. The benefits of vaccination far outweigh any risks.

If your child misses a scheduled vaccination, contact Dr. Desai to arrange a catch-up schedule. It's never too late to vaccinate. We'll create a plan to get your child back on track with their immunizations while maintaining appropriate intervals between doses.

Key preventive measures include timely vaccinations, regular health check-ups, proper nutrition, adequate sleep, regular physical activity, good hygiene practices (handwashing, dental care), protection from sun exposure, and maintaining a safe home environment. Dr. Desai provides comprehensive guidance on preventive care.

Seek emergency care for difficulty breathing, uncontrolled bleeding, severe allergic reactions, seizures, loss of consciousness, severe burns, suspected poisoning, head injuries, high fever in infants under 3 months, severe dehydration, or any condition causing extreme distress or rapid deterioration.

Stay calm, place your child on their side on a safe surface, remove nearby objects, do not put anything in their mouth, time the seizure, and call for emergency help if it lasts more than 5 minutes or if it's their first seizure. Contact Dr. Desai immediately after any seizure episode.

Signs of dehydration include fewer wet diapers, dark yellow urine, dry mouth and lips, sunken eyes, no tears when crying, lethargy, and sunken soft spot in infants. Severe dehydration is a medical emergency. Offer small frequent sips of oral rehydration solution and contact Dr. Desai for guidance.

Our facility is equipped with advanced pediatric emergency equipment including oxygen support, nebulizers, emergency medications, cardiac monitors, defibrillators, and resuscitation equipment specifically designed for children of all ages. Dr. Desai is trained in pediatric advanced life support (PALS).

Call Dr. Desai for non-life-threatening urgent concerns during office hours. Go directly to the emergency room for life-threatening situations like difficulty breathing, severe allergic reactions, major trauma, uncontrolled bleeding, or loss of consciousness. When in doubt, call our emergency contact number for guidance.

You can schedule an appointment by calling our clinic directly, using our online booking system, or walking into our facility during office hours. For emergencies, contact our 24/7 emergency helpline.

We work with most major insurance providers. Please contact our office with your insurance information, and our staff will verify coverage and explain any out-of-pocket costs before your appointment.

Our regular office hours are Monday to Saturday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. We also offer emergency services 24/7. Please call ahead for specific appointment times and availability.

Absolutely. Dr. Desai welcomes second opinion consultations. Please bring all relevant medical records, test results, and imaging studies to your appointment so we can provide you with comprehensive guidance.