High Risk Follow-Up Program

Prematurity and other medical conditions put babies at risk for developmental delays. Although most infants develop normally, a few develop problems that should be identified early. Prompt detection and early intervention help a child reach their full potential for growth and development.

The High Risk Follow-Up Program is a service offered by Driscoll Children’s Hospital to families of children cared for in a Neonatal/Pediatric Intensive Care Unit who meet the eligibility criteria. The High Risk Program provides developmental evaluation which identifies signs that may suggest a need for early intervention.

Criteria to be eligible

• Less than 32 weeks
• Less than 1500 grams (3.3 lbs.)
• Congenital heart disease
• Infants who required total body cooling
• Infants who required ECMO
• Neurological insults

We will follow your child in the High Risk Follow-Up Program until 3 years of age.

Developmental evaluation

• Evaluations will be done at the developmental milestone ages of 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 36 months
• Neurological and developmental assessment by a nurse practitioner
• Nutritional evaluation and guidance by a registered dietitian
• Developmental evaluation by a physical, occupational, and/or speech therapist utilizing the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 3^rd Ed.

Additional services provided

• Periodic nutritional evaluations to ensure optimal growth
• Gastrostomy tube feeding maintenance
• Coordination of services for additional supplemental care
• Social work to identify support needs and arrange available resources

Visits may last up to 2 hours, depending on the age of the child.

Following each visit, we will provide feedback about how your child is developing and suggestions to help your child reach his/her fullest potential. We will also send a letter to your pediatrician with our recommendations. This program is designed for developmental assessment and is not intended to take the place of your child’s pediatrician.

The appointment

Once we receive a referral from your child’s doctor, we will contact you to obtain necessary documentation and insurance information. On the day of your appointment, please remember to bring an insurance card, photo ID and a list of your child’s current medications.