NICU Follow Up/Infant Toddler Clinic
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Follow Up/Infant Toddler Clinic at the Thompson Center is dedicated to providing continued care for children with birth complications.
These children may require specialized services to address complex health needs or neurodevelopmental conditions as they grow. Our clinic offers comprehensive support and interventions to ensure children receive the appropriate care and attention they need for their well-being and development.
Who is eligible?
Infants may be eligible for the NICU Follow Up Clinic if they were born prematurely (at 34 weeks gestation or earlier), weighed less than 1,500 grams at birth, are a twin or other multiple, and/or had one or more complications such as:
- Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH)
- Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy
- Stroke, meningitis, or neurological abnormality including macrocephaly or microcephaly
- Chronic lung disease/bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)
- Cyanotic congenital heart disease
- Severe intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR)
- Congenital malformations/dysmorphology
- High-risk social environment
- Prenatal substance exposures
- Poor weight gain
- Feeding difficulty
- Irritability/ poor state regulation
What can I expect during a NICU Follow Up Clinic appointment?
Appointments in this clinic typically last around two hours. Providers from several disciplines will rotate into the patient room for:
- Physical examination and medical history
- Developmental assessments for early identification of developmental concerns
- Growth checks and nutritional counseling
- Evaluation of need for services such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Assessment of family’s needs and assistance in accessing available resources
- An opportunity to answer questions and concerns about child’s health, development or behavior
- Coordination of care with child’s pediatrician and other healthcare providers
- Referral support to identify physicians, home care services, therapists, and education programs in the child’s community
What providers are involved in the NICU Follow Up Clinic?
During a NICU Follow Up Clinic appointment, patients may see providers specializing in:
- Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics
- Physical Therapy
- Nutrition
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Occupational Therapy
- Social Work
Is the NICU Follow Up Clinic covered by insurance?
These services are covered by most insurance programs, including Medicaid. Contact your insurance provider for detailed coverage information.
How can I get started?
Infants are typically referred to the Thompson Center’s NICU Follow Up Clinic by providers in the NICU. If you have not received a referral but are interested in this clinic, fill out our online referral form or ask your pediatrician or specialist if this clinic would benefit your child.