Neonatology
Neonatal Continuing Care Clinic
The Neonatal Continuing Care Clinic provides developmental assessment and care for nearly 300 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) graduates annually for up to two years after they are discharged.
The weekly Neonatal Continuing Care Clinic includes specialists from neonatology, pediatrics, developmental psychology, neurology, occupational therapy, early intervention, and social work. During the baby’s visit, we interview the parents, take the baby’s medical and developmental history, and conduct a neurological and developmental assessment.
Some NICU babies are at risk for developmental or neurological delays later in childhood. Such delays can occur in babies born prematurely or those who are small for their gestational ages, along with those babies who experience difficult NICU stays.
Babies who meet the following criteria are at special risk for developmental problems and are asked to return when they are 6-9 months of age:
- Prematurity (31 weeks or less)
- Small gestational age (less than 5th percentile)
- PPHN (Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension)
- A birth weight of 1,200 grams or less
- Neurological problems (seizures, etc.)
- Severe medical or surgical complications
You may also return if you or your pediatrician have concerns about your baby's development.
During scheduled appointments, the clinic's medical team works closely with parents and pediatricians to follow each baby's development. These visits are not meant to take the place of your baby's regular well-baby check-ups; rather, they add developmental expertise to the routine health care provided by your baby's pediatrician or family physician.
The clinic evaluation that is performed by the medical team includes:
- A parent interview plus your baby's medical and developmental history
- A neurological and developmental assessment
The clinic's goal is to obtain a complete perspective on your baby's development. All information from the visit will be discussed with you, and you are encouraged to ask questions at any time. A summary of the visit will be sent to your child's physician.
If a developmental or neurological delay is found, services can begin quickly to help minimize the effect of the delay and to enhance your baby's development. Although a small percentage of NICU babies who return for follow-up visits are found to have such developmental and neurological delays, these clinic visits are important tools in monitoring your baby's progress. In addition, they provide valuable information to the neonatology doctors about the care they are delivering.
News You Can Use
NICU Follow-Up Program newsletters include information about the NCCP Program, statistics on NICU babies, and tips for parents:
