Neonatology at Fudan University Children's Hospital Shanghai | CMCS

Expert Care for Critically Ill Newborns at China's Premier Children's Hospital

The Department of Neonatology at Fudan University Children's Hospital (FUCH) is one of China's most distinguished and highest-volume neonatal intensive care programs, with a national reputation for excellence in the care of extremely premature infants, critically ill newborns, and neonates with complex congenital conditions. With one of the largest and most technologically advanced neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in China, the department combines outstanding clinical expertise with a world-class research program, offering international families access to some of China's most eminent neonatologists and the latest evidence-based treatments for the most vulnerable patients — newborn babies.

For international families with a critically ill newborn — whether born extremely prematurely, with a complex congenital condition, or with a serious neonatal illness — FUCH's neonatology department offers an unparalleled combination of neonatal intensive care expertise, subspecialty integration, and research leadership. China Medical Concierge Shanghai (CMCS) provides seamless coordination for international families requiring neonatal intensive care at FUCH.

About the Department

FUCH's neonatology department is a national key clinical specialty operating one of China's largest NICUs with multiple levels of care — from level III intensive care for the most critically ill neonates to step-down and transitional care for recovering infants. The NICU is equipped with the latest ventilatory support technologies, high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, inhaled nitric oxide therapy, therapeutic hypothermia, amplitude-integrated EEG monitoring, point-of-care ultrasound, and a dedicated neonatal transport service for critically ill newborns referred from across the region.

The department works in close collaboration with pediatric cardiology, pediatric surgery, pediatric neurology, genetics, and other subspecialties through a fully integrated multidisciplinary team, ensuring that complex neonates with multi-system conditions receive comprehensive coordinated care. Faculty members publish regularly in leading neonatology journals including Pediatrics, Journal of Pediatrics, Archives of Disease in Childhood, Neonatology, and Acta Paediatrica.

Conditions Treated

Premature Infants

• Extremely Premature Infants (22-28 weeks) — Comprehensive resuscitation and stabilization; antenatal corticosteroids and magnesium sulfate coordination with obstetrics; surfactant therapy (INSURE, LISA/MIST techniques); non-invasive respiratory support (nCPAP, nHFOV, nIPPV); high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV); caffeine therapy; nutritional optimization with early parenteral and enteral nutrition
• Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) Infants (<1500g) — Thermoregulation; infection prevention; nutritional support; developmental care (NIDCAP principles); kangaroo mother care
• Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) — Surfactant replacement therapy; non-invasive ventilation; HFOV for refractory RDS
• Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) — Postnatal corticosteroids for ventilator-dependent BPD; diuretics; pulmonary vasodilators for BPD-associated pulmonary hypertension; nutritional optimization; neurodevelopmental follow-up
• Intraventricular Hemorrhage (IVH) — Prevention strategies; serial cranial ultrasound monitoring; post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus management; ventricular reservoir and VP shunt coordination with neurosurgery
• Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL) — Neuroprotective strategies; neurodevelopmental follow-up and early intervention
• Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) — Medical management; surgical coordination for perforated NEC; short bowel syndrome management
• Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) — Screening and laser photocoagulation; intravitreal bevacizumab for zone I and posterior zone II ROP; ophthalmology coordination
• Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) — Indomethacin and ibuprofen; paracetamol for PDA closure; transcatheter and surgical closure for hemodynamically significant PDA

Neonatal Neurological Conditions

• Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) — Therapeutic hypothermia (whole-body cooling) for moderate-to-severe HIE; amplitude-integrated EEG monitoring; seizure management; erythropoietin neuroprotection; neurodevelopmental follow-up
• Neonatal Seizures — aEEG and conventional EEG monitoring; phenobarbital, levetiracetam, and phenytoin; genetic epilepsy evaluation for refractory neonatal seizures
• Neonatal Meningitis — Empirical and culture-directed antibiotic therapy; complication management (hydrocephalus, cerebral abscess)
• Neonatal Stroke — Arterial ischemic and sinovenous thrombosis; anticoagulation for selected cases; neurodevelopmental follow-up
• Inborn Errors of Metabolism Presenting in Neonates — Newborn screening follow-up; organic acidemias, urea cycle disorders, and fatty acid oxidation disorders; emergency metabolic management

Neonatal Respiratory Conditions

• Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS) — Surfactant lavage; HFOV; inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) for PPHN; ECMO for refractory cases
• Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN) — Inhaled nitric oxide; sildenafil; milrinone; ECMO for refractory PPHN
• Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) — Gentle ventilation strategy; iNO; ECMO; surgical repair coordination with pediatric surgery; FETO (fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion) coordination for severe CDH
• Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn (TTN) — Supportive respiratory care; nCPAP
• Congenital Pneumonia — Antibiotic therapy; respiratory support

Neonatal Cardiac Conditions

• Critical Congenital Heart Disease — Prostaglandin E1 for duct-dependent circulation; stabilization and transfer to cardiac surgery; coordination with FUCH Heart Center for immediate postnatal intervention
• Neonatal Arrhythmias — SVT management; complete heart block; temporary pacing

Neonatal Infections

• Early-Onset Neonatal Sepsis — Empirical ampicillin + gentamicin; culture-directed therapy; GBS prophylaxis
• Late-Onset Neonatal Sepsis — Empirical broad-spectrum antibiotics; antifungal prophylaxis and treatment for high-risk premature infants
• Congenital Infections (TORCH) — CMV, toxoplasma, rubella, herpes, syphilis, and Zika; antiviral and antibiotic therapy; long-term follow-up

Neonatal Surgical Conditions

• Esophageal Atresia & Tracheoesophageal Fistula — Surgical repair coordination with pediatric surgery; long-gap EA management
• Intestinal Atresia & Malrotation — Surgical correction; nutritional support
• Hirschsprung's Disease — Colostomy and pull-through surgery coordination
• Abdominal Wall Defects — Gastroschisis and omphalocele; staged surgical repair; nutritional support
• Myelomeningocele — Surgical closure coordination with neurosurgery; hydrocephalus management

Neonatal Metabolic & Endocrine Conditions

• Neonatal Hypoglycemia — Glucose infusion; diazoxide for hyperinsulinism; octreotide; pancreatectomy for diffuse hyperinsulinism
• Congenital Hypothyroidism — Newborn screening; levothyroxine replacement; neurodevelopmental follow-up
• Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) — Hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone; salt supplementation; genital surgery coordination
• Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia — Phototherapy; exchange transfusion for severe hyperbilirubinemia; IVIG for hemolytic disease

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO)

FUCH's ECMO program is one of the most experienced neonatal ECMO programs in China, providing life support for neonates with refractory respiratory or cardiac failure:

• Respiratory ECMO — For refractory PPHN, MAS, CDH, and other causes of severe neonatal respiratory failure not responding to conventional ventilation and iNO
• Cardiac ECMO — For neonates with critical CHD awaiting surgery, post-cardiac surgery low output syndrome, and refractory neonatal arrhythmias
• ECMO Weaning — Systematic weaning protocols; transition to conventional support

Neonatal Transport Service

FUCH operates a dedicated neonatal transport service for critically ill newborns requiring transfer to the NICU from referring hospitals across Shanghai and the surrounding region. The transport team provides stabilization and intensive care during transfer, ensuring safe arrival of the most critically ill neonates.

Neurodevelopmental Follow-Up Program

Survival of extremely premature and critically ill neonates is only the beginning — optimal neurodevelopmental outcomes require systematic long-term follow-up. FUCH's neurodevelopmental follow-up program provides:

• Standardized developmental assessments at corrected ages of 6, 12, 18, 24, and 36 months
• Early identification of developmental delays, cerebral palsy, and cognitive impairment
• Early intervention referral for physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy
• School readiness assessment and educational support planning

Why International Families Choose FUCH Neonatology

• High-Volume Level III NICU — One of China's largest and most experienced NICUs for extremely premature and critically ill neonates
• ECMO Expertise — One of China's most experienced neonatal ECMO programs for refractory respiratory and cardiac failure
• Subspecialty Integration — Seamless collaboration with cardiac surgery, pediatric surgery, neurology, and genetics for complex multi-system neonates
• Therapeutic Hypothermia — Expert whole-body cooling for HIE with aEEG monitoring and neuroprotective care
• Neurodevelopmental Follow-Up — Systematic long-term developmental monitoring and early intervention for NICU graduates
• Cost-Effectiveness — World-class neonatal intensive care at significantly lower cost than equivalent treatment in Western countries

The CMCS Patient Journey

1. Initial Inquiry — Share your newborn's clinical history, gestational age, birth weight, diagnosis, and current clinical status with CMCS.
2. Medical Record Preparation — We translate and organize your baby's records for specialist review.
3. Specialist Coordination — We identify the most appropriate neonatology team and coordinate with relevant subspecialties based on your baby's conditions.
4. Emergency Prioritization — For critically ill neonates, we facilitate urgent admission coordination with FUCH's NICU team.
5. Travel & Logistics — Assistance with visa invitation letters, family accommodation near FUCH, and Shanghai airport transfers.
6. Family Support — Bilingual coordinators support families throughout the NICU stay, facilitating communication with the medical team and providing emotional support.
7. Discharge Planning — Coordination of home care equipment, community nursing, and outpatient follow-up after NICU discharge.
8. Neurodevelopmental Follow-Up — Coordination of developmental assessments and early intervention after you return home.

Book a Consultation

If your newborn requires expert neonatal intensive care in Shanghai — whether for extreme prematurity, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, congenital heart disease, a surgical condition, or a complex neonatal illness — CMCS can arrange access to FUCH's neonatology team.

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