The neonatology section of the Department of Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Neonatology of the First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, and the General University Hospital in Prague is one of the key perinatal care units at U Apolináře. Its work is closely integrated with obstetrics, perinatology and fetal medicine, enabling comprehensive care for mothers and babies before, during and after birth. The department ranks among the largest of its kind in the Czech Republic and Europe.
The unit provides the highest level of neonatal care.Among its patients are babies with a very low birth weight of less than 1,500 grams from Prague and the Central Bohemian Region, as well as extremely low birth weight infants under 1,000 grams from across the Czech Republic. Specialist care is also provided to newborns with other serious complications. The department includes a centre for non-conventional ventilation, which manages severe cases of neonatal respiratory failure referred from throughout the Czech Republic.
Neonatology at U Apolináře has long achieved outstanding results in the care of the smallest and most vulnerable newborns. The General University Hospital reports very low rates of serious complications associated with prematurity, including bronchopulmonary dysplasia and retinopathy of prematurity.
The unit also introduces innovative approaches to the care of extremely premature babies. One example is a specially designed resuscitation bed that allows an extremely premature newborn to be stabilised while the umbilical cord remains intactThis approach may contribute to better postnatal adaptation while also enabling immediate contact between mother and baby, even in cases of very premature birth.
Helping Not Only to Treat, but Also to Create the Right Environment for Babies and Their Parents
High-quality specialist care is only one aspect of neonatology. Equally important is the environment in which a premature baby spends the first days and months of life and, whenever possible, the opportunity to remain close to their parents.
Parent–infant contact, breastfeeding support and active involvement of the family in care are important elements of modern neonatology. We therefore support the creation of conditions that allow mothers and other family members to spend as much time as possible with their baby and to participate actively in their care.
The VITA ET FUTURA Foundation helps the neonatal unit acquire equipment and resources that contribute to high-quality care for premature and sick newborns while also improving the environment for their parents and healthcare professionals.