Common neonatal treatments and tests

Our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) offers sick and preterm babies with the extra support they need to support their recovery and comfort. 

Breathing support

Your baby may require a treatment known as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) support. This treatment delivers air or oxygen through prongs in your baby’s nose or via a mask to help keep their lungs open.

Some babies may require extra support, such as a breathing tube placed in their mouth and down their trachea (windpipe). A medicine to improve lung function, known as surfactant, can also be delivered via the breathing tube. 

Maintaining body temperature

Neonatal babies are provided an incubator or warm mattress to help maintain their body temperature.

Hospital transfers

Once some babies reach 34 weeks and are medically stable they may be transferred to a hospital closer to your home. Your treating team will discuss this with you.

Screening tests and immunisations

The following is a summary of screening tests and immunisations your baby will receive during their NICU stay. We will also give you printed information about these tests and immunisations.

Hearing test

All newborn babies are given a hearing screening test to identify any hearing loss and manage it as soon as possible. If your baby is discharged before the test, he or she will be required to come in as an outpatient for this test.

Find out more about the hearing screening test.

Guthrie test

This blood test screens can detect serious genetic conditions before your baby becomes ill and while there is still time for treatment to make a difference.

The test is usually done when your baby is between 48 and 72 hours old and has been routine for all newborn Australian babies for more than 35 years.

Parents are usually only told of the test results if they are abnormal. Find out more about the Guthrie test (Healthy WA) or watch this video (external site).

Vitamin K injection

All babies are born deficient in vitamin K, which puts them at risk of serious bleeding in the first few months of life.

The National Health and Medical Research Council recommend all babies be given vitamin K shortly after birth. Your treating team will discuss this further with you.

Hepatitis B immunisation

Hepatitis is an infectious disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus. It is spread mainly by contact with blood infected with the virus.

Immunisation is the best way to prevent hepatitis B infection. The Australian National Immunisation Program Schedule recommends babies be immunised against hepatitis B at birth.

You are encouraged to discuss hepatitis B immunisation with your doctor or nurse and will be asked to consent to your baby being immunised.