Newborn Developmental Follow-Up Clinic

Overview

The Newborn Developmental Follow-Up Clinic provides services to at-risk infants from birth to two years. Your infant may be at-risk if he/she was born earlier than the due date (premature) or had unexpected medical problems after birth. The Follow-Up Clinic's goals are to support optimal growth and developmental outcomes, to provide psychosocial support for parents and caregivers, and to serve as a consultant for primary care providers. Referrals are accepted from the MGH NICU or Special Care Nursery, community hospitals/physicians, and Early Intervention. Dr. Leslie Kerzner directs the Follow-Up Clinic, which has been providing specialized evaluation and care to infants since 2006.

Our program works closely with primary care doctors to give the best care to your child. We cover the following:

• Growth and development
• Nutrition
• Medical, neurological and developmental issues
• Education for parents and community providers to help your child develop best
• Coordinate care with Early Intervention services
• Referrals for other services as needed (Neurology, Pulmonology, Audiology, Gastroenterology & Nutrition, Orthopedics, Ophthalmology, Speech & Language, Physical Therapy, ENT specialists, Feeding Team, Neuropsychology, Neurodevelopment)

Our multi-disciplinary approach incudes a team made up of professionals who are experts in taking care of at-risk infants. Our team includes:

• Board-certified neonatologist
• Pediatricians
• Pediatric nurse practitioner
• Occupational therapist
• Speech therapist
• Speech and language/feeding specialist
• Medical assistant
• Clinic coordinator

Referral Criteria

• Premature birth, less than or equal to 32 weeks
• Birth weight less than 1500 grams (3 Ibs, 5 oz)
• Severe intrauterine growth restriction
• All weight groups with:
  • Neurological abnormality, including brain hemorrhage, seizures, stroke, meningitis, requiring Cooling Blanket
  • History of opioid exposure in utero, including infants who experienced opioid withdrawal (NAS/NOWS)
  • History of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
  • Feeding difficulties
  • ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) use in neonatal period
  • High-risk social environment
  • Late preterm or multiple gestation at physician request

We will see your infant regularly during the first two years of life. We suggest:

• First Visit: 3 months
• Second Visit: 7 months
• Third Visit: 1 year
• Fourth Visit: 18 months
• Fifth Visit: 2 years

If your baby was born prematurely, we try to schedule them at 3, 7 and 12 months of adjusted age (from the expected due date, rather than the birth date). At times, we continue to follow children until the age of 3 years.

Your Visit

At each visit, your child will receive the following:

• Complete physical exam, including height and weight
• Neurologic exam and assessment
• Standardized developmental assessment
• Nutrition evaluation
• Occupational therapy evaluation
• Immediate feedback and recommendations

Patient Resources

View the full collection of patient resources from the Newborn Developmental Follow-Up Clinic at MGfC.

Related Departments

• NICO/Neonatology
• Newborn Services