Neonatology

With a dedicated research team that includes all major areas of health care, our neonatology department is leading the way in advanced care for premature babies through improved technologies and innovative treatments.

This includes:

• Neonatal hemodynamics: Our neonatal hemodynamics program is the largest, most advanced program of its kind in the world. Neonatal hemodynamics is an ultrasound technology that provides critical insight on the relationship between the heart and the brain in premature infants, helping our neonatologists provide the most accurate care possible. Neonatal hemodynamic specialists at Iowa are at the forefront of innovation and scientific discovery, guide the development of training in hemodynamics and lead the establishment of consensus guidelines for common neonatal hemodynamic problems such as patent ductus arteriosus, pulmonary hypertension, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, and heart dysfunction. Our program is the state referral center for interventional closure of the patent ductus arteriosus in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. We are a high-volume center and are actively involved in research to further enhance the postprocedural care of these babies. 

• Neonatal neurocritical care: We are home to Iowa's only neonatal neurocritical care program, which provides specialty and ongoing neurological care for babies born with or at risk for neurological disease or damage, or a brain injury. Our doctors have expertise in advanced brain monitoring using bedside EEG, MRI imaging, and novel brain therapies. We are the highest-volume center in Iowa, which performs “brain cooling” to decrease brain injury. The expertise our team provides can have a lasting impact on your child’s growth and development, which is why we invest in the services and support they need to reach their fullest potential.   

• Neonatal lung rehabilitation: Neonatologists with advanced training in lung care provide expert consultative advice on the most challenging patients with severe lung disease. Oftentimes, these patients are born extremely premature and have severe lung injury. Using advanced ventilator strategies and novel lung treatments, many of these patients experience dramatic improvement in lung outcomes. 

• Neonatal transport: Our dedicated neonatal transport team is equipped to provide advanced neonatal care during transport to our hospital. Staffed by pediatric specialty care experts, our AirCare team has the skills, knowledge, and state-of-the-art equipment to ensure the highest levels of safety and care during transport.  

"Whenever anyone asks me why I am a neonatologist, I tell this story." Watch the video below to hear John Dagle, MD, PhD, talk about the moment that changed his life forever.