Liverpool Hospital
Newborn Care

Followup Program

 Introduction:

Assessment of the neurosensory and developmental progress of graduates from Neonatal Intensive Care Units is an integral part of any Newborn Care Service. These assessments provide detailed information regarding functionally significant disabilities in graduates as well as the more subtle learning and neurobehavioural problems that may be a consequence of prematurity or complex illness in the perinatal period.

Comparison of results between neonatal services nationally and internationally, provides the impetus to maintain and improve clinical practise in individual units.

The goals of Neonatal Neurodevelopmental Follow-up are as follows:

1. Early detection of intensive care graduates at risk for disability and appropriate referral and integration into therapy services.

2. Audit/quality assurance of the Newborn Care Service

3. Research ie; providing information on later development in babies enrolled in research trials.

4. Support both practically and academically for local services for children with developmental impairment.

5. A forum for parents to discuss their child’s development and plan therapy services as needed.


The Neurodevelopmental Follow-up Clinic provides a diagnostic (and generally supportive) service for Paediatricians caring for graduates from Neonatal Intensive Care Units and can provide valuable liaison with the Neonatal Family Support Programme and with Community based services such as Early Childhood Centres and local therapy Services.
Although it is not the primary role of the clinic to provide therapy for children assessed as being at “high-risk”, a good working relationship with established therapy services is essential.


Babies Appropriate For Enrolment in the Program:

  • 1. All babies with GA < 32/40
  • 2. All babies treated with Therapeutic Cooling
  • 3. Other premature babies assessed as being at high risk of neurodevelopmental handicap may be enrolled at the request of the Neonatalogist/Paediatrician or Neonatal Family Support Nurses (premature babies with IVH/PVC, a twin whose co-twin fits normal referral criteria, Hypoxic/Ischaemic Encephalopathy, Meningitis etc)
  • 4. Babies enrolled in research trials who require Neurodevelopmental assessment as part of the research protocol.

The families of babies enrolled in clinic are approached prior to leaving Liverpool Hospital and the purpose of these ongoing assessments is explained and written information on the clinic and general infant development is given to them.

 

© 2016 South Western Sydney Local Health District
Last Updated: 15 March, 2013
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