Neonatology

Dedicated to Treating, and Ultimately Preventing, All Complications of Premature Birth

Caring For Our Tiniest Patients

Inside the NICU

Neonatology

At Nationwide Children's Hospital, we provide integrated perinatal care and research throughout our patients' childhood, so that each one is able to reach his or her full potential in life.

Caring for more than 3,000 babies each year, we are one of the largest neonatal centers in the nation, dedicated to treating, and ultimately preventing, all complications of prematurity.

Our expertise spans from fetal diagnosis and therapies across the spectrum of newborn conditions to essential long-term follow-up.

We are proud to be one of 18 elite research centers in the Neonatal Research Network, a national network of investigators leading the way in neonatal medicine.

US News Badge Neonatology

Nationwide Children's Hospital is ranked by U.S. News & World Report for Neonatology.

Neonatology at Nationwide Children's

With more than 336 beds throughout our network, we are America’s largest neonatal center. The size and strength of our program allow us to provide the highest level of experience and translate that expertise into programs that address fetal diagnosis and therapies, across the broad spectrum of newborn conditions.

With the dedication and commitment of our teams and families, we provide babies with cutting-edge interventions, exceptional care and, in turn, remarkable outcomes.

Advanced facilities enable us to provide exceptional care for the whole family.

From our 130-bed Main Campus NICU to seven NICU and special care units located within local birthing hospitals, our patients and their families receive care in the most technologically advanced and family-centered environments available anywhere.

View Our NICU Locations

Key Programs

The Section of Neonatal Medicine's key programs provide state-of-the-art capabilities for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of extremely premature and medically fragile neonates.

Neonatology Patient

Comprehensive Center for Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

With a dedicated inpatient unit and outpatient follow-up service, the Comprehensive Center for Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia addresses the medical, nutritional, developmental and social needs of each patient. Our unique approach provides the most advanced, comprehensive BPD care with proven improved outcomes.

newborn with a bottle in their mouth

Innovative Infant Feeding Disorders Program

The Innovative Infant Feeding Disorders Program works to prevent, predict, diagnose and treat feeding-related disorders for infants. Dedicated to improving outcomes, our expert team focuses on personalized, feeding management strategies based on the latest clinical and transitional research.

Nurse tending to a baby in the small baby program

Small Baby Program

Our Small Baby Program is dedicated to the care of babies born at less than 27 weeks. We provide an interdisciplinary approach to family-centered care, allowing extremely premature babies to not only survive, but to reach their milestones.

Jumping Toddler

NICU Follow-up Programs

After leaving the NICU, your baby can be at high risk for developmental problems. The NICU Follow-up Program identifies and treats developmental needs early, ensuring the correct medical services and family support are in place to make a lasting difference.

Pregnant Woman Receiving Fetal Echo

The Fetal Center

The Fetal Center offers advanced diagnostic, treatment and recovery options for families facing complex birth defects. We are devoted to improving neonatal outcomes for most fetal complications while supporting you along the way.

Monarch 1 Helicopter

Transport

Our Transport Program provides 24-hour pediatric and neonatal critical-care transport services for patients both near and far. Our specially trained team ensures the safe, fast transport of critically ill patients via mobile ICU, helicopter and jet aircraft.

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Our Team

Our team of rigorously trained neonatologists, neonatal nurse practitioners, advanced practice nurses, staff nurses and other health-care specialists provide around-the-clock treatment for newborns, using the most up-to-the-minute medical therapies and technologies.

Meet Our Leadership

Nationwide Children's Hospital Medical Professional

Leif D. Nelin

Leif D. Nelin, MD, is the Division Chief of Neonatology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and a Professor of Pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine.

Amy Schlegel

Amy B. Schlegel

Amy Schlegel, MD, is the Section Chief of Neonatology at Nationwide Children's Hospital. She established the Perinatal Advanced Illness Management (AIM) program within the Fetal Center and works closely with the Advanced Illness Management Team and the Nationwide Children's Hospice and Home-based Palliative Care Program in this capacity.

Resources for Parents

NICU Baby in Isolette

NICU Resources

NICU Parent: You are the most important person in baby's life.  That's why we have compiled a list of resources for you to use both during your baby hospital stay and at home.

Premature Female NICU Baby

Testing & Diagnostics

We perform a variety of tests in our NICU facilities. Learn more about some of of these tests, their purpose and how they are performed. 

NICU Baby in Isolette

Parent Resources: Caring For Your Baby

Dear Parent: You are the most important person in your baby's life.

We want to help you understand your baby’s developmental and medical needs; prepare for taking care of your baby; know how to get the resources and services you and your baby may need; and focus on parenting.

That's why we have compiled a list of resources for you to use both during your baby hospital stay and at home.