NICU Equipment

An Infant Oxygen Hood is a Class II medical device used to deliver controlled concentrations of supplemental oxygen to spontaneously breathing newborns and infants. Made of transparent medical-grade acrylic or polycarbonate, the hood fits over the infant's head with a soft foam or rubber neck seal, creating an oxygen-enriched environment while allowing easy access for monitoring and care. Available in premature/neonatal, infant, and older infant sizes with gas inlet ports (22 mm) for connection to air/oxygen blenders (FiO2 21-100%), access ports for monitoring leads and IV lines, and outlet vents to prevent CO2 accumulation. Requires minimum flow rate of 5 L/min to ensure adequate CO2 washout. Used with heated humidifiers for prolonged therapy to prevent airway drying. Primary clinical applications include management of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in premature infants, neonatal pneumonia, post-extubation oxygen support, congenital heart disease, and palliative care. Critical safety considerations include maintaining adequate flow rate to prevent rebreathing, monitoring FiO2 at hood level, ensuring proper neck seal without constriction, and preventing hyperoxia to reduce retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) risk. Essential equipment in NICUs and special care nurseries for controlled oxygen delivery to vulnerable infants.