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Valley Children's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

The newest newborns. The tiniest patients. The biggest victories.

U.S. News & World Report Best Children's Hospitals 2023-2024 NeonatologyRanked as one of the best children’s hospitals in Neonatology by U.S. News & World Report in 2023-2024 – the seventh such ranking for our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) – Valley Children’s NICU offers the most comprehensive array of services for critically ill newborns to ensure the best possible quality of life.

Critically ill infants face serious and/or potentially lifelong or deadly challenges due to extreme prematurity, congenital defects, injury, chronic illness and more. From open-heart surgery on a heart the size of a walnut, to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) – a life-sustaining intervention for failing heart and lung function – we provide all the expert neonatal care your baby needs right here in the Central Valley.

Valley Children’s main Hospital campus in Madera provides Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU) support - the highest level of care available for neonates and infants. Valley Children’s supports a network of NICUs throughout Central California, providing the opportunity for families with critically ill babies to receive treatment closer to home throughout his or her entire stay.
 

Team of Experts for Comprehensive Pediatric Care

At Valley Children’s, our multidisciplinary approach across our independent, nonprofit network offers highly specialized medical and surgical services for any pediatric condition for infants, children, adolescents and young adults. In addition to our NICU care capabilities, we provide a range of care options for our young patients as they transition from neonatal intensive care. We provide expert care at our 358-bed stand-alone children’s hospital. That includes 88 Level IV beds at Valley Children’s Hospital, and 28 Level II and Level III NICU beds at three partner hospitals (Fresno, Merced, Hanford). In addition, the Valley Children’s Healthcare network includes specialty care centers, pediatric primary care practices and women’s health services. 
 

Conditions We Treat

Valley Children’s team of board-certified neonatologists, together with our newborn care specialists from a variety of disciplines, provide expert care for the most critically ill and fragile infants facing challenges due to extreme prematurity, congenital defects, injury, and chronic illness. With around-the-clock care, our in-house neonatologists and medical and surgical specialists provide the best care for routine and complex conditions.

Everyone Has a Story

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Photo of Mahria celebrating her half-month birthday

Mahria's Story

Mahria's Story

Born at 25.5 weeks gestation by emergency C-section, Mahria weighed just 1.6 pounds and was immediately transported to Valley Children's. After 81 days in the NICU, Mahria was healthy and ready to go home. Read her inspiring story of hope, resilience, and joy.

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Meet Our Neonatologists and Newborn Specialists

Valley Children's neonatologists and pediatric specialists provide 24-hour support for NICU patients. Our team of board-certified or board-eligible and fellowship-trained experts works together for the care of your newborn.