UnityPoint Health St. Luke’s announced its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit has been classified as a level 3 NICU.
A level 3 NICU provides extensive, critical care for extremely premature or critically ill newborns.
According to a Wednesday press release, the NICU’s advancement allows the hospital to respond to complex medical needs and reduce need for long distance transfers.
This allows families to have access to a high level of newborn care and stay close to home while their newborn goes through treatment and recovery.
According to the March of Dimes 3,672 babies were born premature in Iowa in 2024.
