Neonatology

Tackling necrotizing enterocolitis

Partnerships focused on neonatal care are also helping us advance health close to home. The NEC Society, a nonprofit organization aimed at eliminating necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), received $250,000 from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to build its research capacity on the leading cause of death in very premature infants. Working hand in hand with UC Davis Health’s Center for Healthcare Policy and Reseach, the society will create and train a dedicated leadership team, develop methods and strategies to identify and prioritize research, and establish a model framework that can be shared with and used by others.

Level IV NICU

The UC Davis Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is a level IV-designated nursery (the highest possible rating) for the Sacramento region, providing clinical care for infants throughout Northern California and conducting research on health problems facing infants, including those who are born very prematurely, are extremely ill, or require surgery.

Nationally ranked

Our neonatology program ranked 30th nationally in the 2019–2020 U.S. News & World Report Best Children’s Hospitals survey.

Customized breast milk for premature babies

Thanks to a new Miris human milk analyzer machine funded by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN), premature babies in our level IV NICU will receive customized breast milk fortified with the nutrients they need to support their growth and wellness.