Neonatal Follow-Up Clinic

What is Neonatal follow-up clinic?

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Follow-Up Program is available to children who receive care as newborns in the ECU Health Medical Center, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and meet qualification criteria. This program is provided as a service to parents and children. The initial follow-up evaluation includes a history, physical examination, and neurological and developmental assessment to show the child’s progress. It is important to see how the NICU graduate develops during the first years of life. The NICU Follow-Up Clinic see children at 6, 12, and at 18 months (adjusted to the mother’s expected due date). If a problem is identified at an early age, appropriate intervention can be initiated when it is most beneficial.

Where is the clinic located?

The neonatal intensive care unit follow-up clinic is located at the Pediatric Radiology area of the James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital. You can ask for directions are the front desk as you walk into the hospital.

Does my child qualify for this clinic?

Qualified infants who meet a specified criteria in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit are enrolled in this clinic at discharge from the hospital.  Clinic Criteria includes less than 28 weeks gestation, less than 1,000 grams, and any additional diagnoses that may affect development.

If a child was not born at ECU Health Medical Center and meets clinic criteria, please have the child’s pediatrician or discharging hospital contact the clinic coordinator with the child’s information for consideration for the Neonatal Follow-Up Clinic. If a child is found eligible, the referring pediatrician and parents will be informed.

The following form will be sent to you to complete. (PDF form)

You should receive a letter one month prior to your child’s appointment informing you of the appointment date and time. Additionally, you will receive a packet of information, map and medical questions to complete one week prior to your appointment date. Please bring this packet, immunization record, insurance cards, and identification to your child’s appointment.

Who will see my child in this clinic?

When a family arrives and finishes registration, the Clinic Coordinator greets and acquaints the family with the clinic process.

The Physician (attending, fellow, and/or resident physician) will give the child a complete neurological, physical and developmental examination and discuss the child’s progress since discharge.

The Physician will record the child’s vital signs such as height, weight, blood pressure, and head circumference.

One of the Occupational Therapists or Physical Therapists will evaluate the child’s development in movement patterns, hand function, feeding and developmental skills. Recommendations will be provided for home activities for playing and learning. Therapist can offer other assistance when needed.

A Social Worker will discuss the family’s adjustment and needs since the child’s hospital discharge, and current questions and concerns about the child’s health and development. The Social Worker can also assist the family with completing necessary forms provided to parents at the appointment.. The Social Worker works closely with the North Carolina Early Intervention Service Coordinators to assist families in locating intervention services such as medical treatment, behavioral management instruction, family counseling instruction, special orthopedic devices, speech /language therapy, occupational or physical therapy, or nutrition services.

At 12 and 18 months of age, one of the clinic Psychologists will evaluate the child’s progress in thinking and problem solving abilities.

At 18 months of age, one of the Speech and Language Therapist will evaluate the child’s progress in language skills.

Parents are the most important link in our program. The clinic team appreciates the support of parents that bring their children to the Neonatal Follow-Up Clinic. The team welcomes the parent’s assistance in the evaluation as well as their comments and questions.

The Physician will discuss the clinic findings and recommendation with the family at the end of the appointment visit. The evaluation results will be printed and mailed to the child’s pediatrician, parents, and/or additional medical or developmental professionals caring for the child. Parents can also view the child’s records in the hospital electronic medical records system.

The Neonatal Follow-Up Clinic Team works closely with private physicians, health care providers, and developmental professionals providing developmental evaluations and assistance for NICU graduates.

Contact Us

Please contact us if you have questions about your child’s clinic appointment:

Valerie Hulon, Clinic Coordinator
252-744-4911
HULONV17@ECU.EDU