Children who are born prematurely or who have been sick are at a greater risk for falling behind in their development.  Forty-five percent of brain growth occurs during the last four months of pregnancy and premature infants face significant challenges due to the sudden change to their environment.  These babies must cope with leaving the protection of the womb as well as complex medical needs at birth.  These challenges can affect their growth and development for the rest of their lives.  Specialized services designed for the individual needs of the child are important steps in helping to reach maximum potential.   

The Developmental Follow-up Team tracks the developmental progress of these infants.  We also provide education and support and help locate resources and community services that will assist in the child's development as he or she grows.  

Children are referred to this program from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) or from other pediatric floors.  They may also be referred from their primary care provider.

---

Patients Who May Benefit from the Developmental Follow-up Program
We serve children at risk for developmental delay due to one or more of the following factors: 

• Premature birth
• Neurological problems such as seizures or hydrocephalus (also known as water on the brain)
• Congenital malformations or syndromes such as cleft palate or Down Syndrome.
• Complex medical problems in the early weeks of life
• Cardiac problems
• Complex feeding or weight gain issues
• Infections at birth.

This program tracks infants/toddlers during the early critical years of development.  The earlier any needs are identified, the sooner therapy can begin. 

---

Neonatal Development Services
Mission's Neonatal Developmental Follow-up Program brings together a team of caring professionals to meet with the parents and the child to determine a personalized approach that best suits the family's needs.  We work to evaluate, listen and share observations with the family members.  We will answer questions and address the family's concerns.  Most children begin this program four months after discharge from the NICU and continue until at least two years of age.   The team uses standardized test and informal play observations to evaluate development. 

• Gross (large) motor skills: holding their head up, rolling, sitting, crawling and walking
• Fine (small) motor skills: picking up toys, passing a toy from hand to hand, picking up a small object like a cheerio, turning pages of a book
• Speech and language skills: babbling, vocalizing in play, saying words and then linking into sentences, understanding spoken language
• Sensory development: processing sensory information regarding touch, pressure, and movement
• Social interaction: interest in people and toys and exploring their environment
• Learning skills: (closer to age 2):  ability to engage in complex play that involves both language and fine motor skills.
• Growth and Nutrition: monitoring height, weight, and head circumference, progression of feeding skills with food textures, ability to swallow foods and liquids safely

• Nurse practitioner
• Physical therapist
• Occupational therapist
• Speech-language pathologist.
• Nutritionist

---

Referrals
Infants/toddlers may be referred upon discharge from the Mission NICU, other pediatric units or primary care provider.   If you are concerned that your child is not meeting his or her developmental milestones, print the Referral Form and take it to your primary care provider to discuss how your child can benefit from the Neonatal Developmental Follow Up Program at Mission Children's Hospital.

For more information about the program contact our staff at 828-213-1714.