NICU Follow-Up Program

Infants born premature or sick at birth have a very different and sometimes difficult beginning. They are first seen in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Children facing this unique start should have their development monitored closely. Through our NICU Follow-Up Program, we offer scheduled visits at important periods to identify the strengths and needs of these children.

All areas of development, fine motor, gross motor, cognitive, speech and language and social-emotional are evaluated at each visit. The program consists of seven visits over seven years. The Neonatal Intensive Care Follow Up Team includes the following:

• Neonatologist
• Pediatric neurologist
• Neonatal nurse
• Physical therapist
• Developmental therapist
• Speech and Language pathologist
• Occupational therapist

Following each evaluation, the NICU Follow-Up Team discusses the outcome of the testing with the child's parents and collaborates with the child's primary care physician. When early intervention services are indicated, appropriate recommendations are made and families are assisted in arranging needed services. This program also works closely with the families receiving therapies through the Missouri First Steps Program.

This program is designed to be a family resource for support, new idea sharing and reassurance. We welcome the opportunity to be involved with NICU graduates and their families for several years.

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