NICU Developmental Follow-up Program

Your baby’s specialized care doesn’t always end with discharge from the NICU. In conjunction with the Child Development and Autism Center at Goryeb Children’s Hospital we offer multidisciplinary developmental follow-up care through the outpatient NICU Follow-up Program to selected NICU graduates. MANA neonatologists participate and coordinate follow-up care with many other specialists, including developmental pediatricians, a physiatrist, physical and occupational therapists, speech and feeding therapists, and social workers. We arrange for infants to have their hearing screened during follow-up appointments. As necessary and for infants who qualify, we also perform several quantitative neurodevelopmental assessments, such as the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, which measures proficiency in social-emotional, adaptive behavior, cognitive, language and motor development. We recommend comprehensive follow-up evaluations during the first 3 years of life, the time when infants are growing rapidly and learning many new skills. The earlier that needs are identified, the sooner therapy can begin. Early intervention translates into better outcomes.

Infants will be scheduled for NICU follow-up at the time of discharge. In fact, we invite follow-up staff to meet with parents while their baby is still in the NICU whenever possible. In addition, pediatricians in the community may refer infants to the NICU Follow-up Program. If you are concerned that your child is not meeting their developmental milestones, speak to your pediatrician about how your child may benefit from the NICU Developmental Follow-up Program at Goryeb Children’s Hospital.