Neonatology in Vorarlberg: caring for the smallest patients
Summary and headline written by AI from the source article. How we work
Doctors and nurses at LKH Feldkirch hospital in Vorarlberg, Austria, provide specialized care to newborns, especially premature and sick infants.
The hospital’s neonatology department addresses the unique medical needs of these babies, offering monitoring, treatment, and long-term support. Approximately 300 children are born before the 32nd week of pregnancy in the region each year and require intensive medical attention.
The team at LKH Feldkirch delivers care from birth until the child begins school, focusing on development-oriented practices to prevent long-term health problems. They also operate a transport service to bring infants from other hospitals to Feldkirch for specialized treatment. While medical advancements have significantly improved survival rates for premature babies, they still face a high risk of complications. These complications can include infections, brain bleeds, hearing loss, and developmental delays.
Doctors often deliver these infants via cesarean section and immediately stabilize their breathing and body temperature with the help of monitoring equipment. Nurses emphasize the importance of both high-tech medical tools and sensitive care, creating individualized care plans that involve parents in the process. On September 29, 2026, Primar Gérard Cortina, Oberärztin Anya Blassing-Ezeh, and Diplom-Gesundheits- und Krankenpfleger Gerhard Aspalter will discuss their work on Ländle-TV as part of the Med Konkret autumn semester.
