Neonatology

The Tygerberg Children's Hospital Neonatal service can accommodate 124 babies for inpatient care, of which 82 beds are within the realm of general neonatology. The designated drainage area has a delivery rate of 60 000 babies per year. About 200 babies per month will enter the general neonatal service.

A wide range of services are offered to babies requiring admission. Various levels of care and services will be offered to babies at or above 25 weeks gestation or 500g including CPAP, in-out surfactant, total parenteral nutrition, phototherapy as well as routine care of the premature baby and kangaroo mother care (KMC). Both medical and surgical neonates are admitted.  Where necessary, babies will be transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit also situated at Tygerberg Children's Hospital.

Tygerberg Children's Hospital is a certified Baby Friendly Hospital. Accommodating the "mother-baby" dyad is of utmost importance. Accommodation is provided for the mothers once they have been discharged from the obstetric service and there are 24 full time KMC beds.  Emphasis is placed on exclusive breastfeeding with dedicated nursing support for initiation and maintenance of breastfeeding and facilities available for the donation and provision of donated expressed breast milk.

Outreach activities include teaching ward rounds at Level 1 hospitals, neonatal updates including resuscitation training at various level 1 hospitals and MOUs in the district, as well as follow-up clinics at community level for high risk babies.

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