Word: NICU
Definition:
The term "NICU" stands for "Neonatal Intensive Care Unit." It is a specialized area in a hospital designed to care for premature or seriously ill newborn babies. These babies need extra help because they are not yet strong enough to survive without special medical support.
Usage Instructions:
- "NICU" is used as a noun. - It is often used in conversations about hospitals, healthcare, and newborn care.
Example Sentence:
- "After the baby was born early, she was taken to the NICU for special care."
Advanced Usage:
In medical discussions, you might hear about how long a baby needs to stay in the NICU or the types of equipment used there, such as incubators or ventilators.
Word Variants:
- There are no direct variants of "NICU," but you may encounter related terms like "neonatology," which is the study of newborn care.
Different Meaning:
While "NICU" specifically refers to the care of newborns, the word is not used in other contexts. It strictly pertains to this medical setting.
Synonyms:
There are no direct synonyms for "NICU," but you might hear terms like "intensive care unit" (ICU) used for older patients.
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
There are no idioms or phrasal verbs that specifically include the word "NICU." However, you might hear phrases like "spend time in the NICU" or "transfer to the NICU," which describe actions related to the care of newborns.