Ascension Saint Alexius expands neonatal intensive care
Ascension Saint Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates has received approval to expand its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, adding 14 new bassinets to serve infants requiring critical care in the Chicago area.
The expansion comes as Illinois faces growing demand for NICU services, with nearly 11% of live births in the state being preterm in 2023. More than 10% of these premature newborns required admission to a NICU, highlighting the critical need for specialized neonatal care facilities.
The need for NICU services reflects a broader national trend.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the percentage of infants admitted to NICUs has increased across all maternal age groups over the past eight years, with the most significant increases occurring among mothers aged 20 to 39.
The Saint Alexius campus at 1555 N. Barrington Road operates its own Women’s and Children’s Hospital, featuring specialized care teams that provide comprehensive health care for mothers and babies. Services include gynecologic cancer care, postpartum rehabilitation, autism research, 24/7 obstetric emergency care, breastfeeding support, maternal-fetal medicine, neonatal specialty care, and mental and emotional health support for new mothers.
The hospital's NICU maintains a Level III designation, the second-highest distinction in Illinois, enabling the facility to provide advanced care for critically ill and premature newborns.
“Our multidisciplinary pediatric team performs incredible, lifesaving work on a daily basis here at Saint Alexius,” said Dr. Aditya Neravetla, chief medical officer at Ascension Saint Alexius. “By expanding our NICU operations we are better equipped to meet the growing needs of our communities.”
The announcement of the new bassinets at the Hoffman Estates campus comes at a time when Ascension is planning to discontinue baby deliveries at Ascension Alexian Brothers Hospital in Elk Grove Village and consolidate services at Ascension Saint Alexius.
Ascension announced the move as part of establishing a “dedicated labor and delivery center of excellence for our northwest region.” Inpatient deliveries would transfer to Hoffman Estates, while outpatient obstetrics will remain at the current location, Ascension officials said.
The move aroused protests from nursing staff who argued the closure negatively affects pregnant women and hurts underserved populations who rely on the hospital's emergency obstetric services.
Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson and village officials joined nurses in speaking out against the proposed closure last month.
Johnson argued that inpatient pregnancy care is especially needed now in Elk Grove amid an increase in younger families moving to the village, and he questioned if Saint Alexius would be able to handle the influx.
Hospital officials did not comment on the latter.