Neurodevelopmental Clinic

Description of the clinic:

• The purpose of the clinic is to monitor the development of low-birth-weight and other high-risk newborns.
• The goal of the clinic is to identify developmental problems early so that these babies get the resources they need.
• The clinic screens for a range of developmental delays including motor disorders, language delays, and cognitive delays.

Which babies are routinely followed in the clinic?

• Infants born prematurely and weighing less than 3 pounds, 5 ounces (1500 grams) at birth
• Infants with known or suspected brain problems such as:
• malformations of the brain
• bleeding in the brain
• neonatal stroke
• brain injury
• Infants with neuromuscular problems
• Infants who have had seizures
• Infants who have had meningitis (infection around the brain) or other brain infections
• Infants who were severely underweight at birth, even if they were born at term
• Infants who have been on heart-lung bypass (for complex heart surgery or ECMO)
• Infants with very high jaundice levels requiring exchange transfusion

How often do the babies visit the clinic?

• Infants visit the clinic every 4 months during the first year of life.
• After the first year of life, the infants visit the clinic every 6 months until they are 3 years old.

Who sees the babies in the clinic?

A nurse will see your baby and perform a screening examination of your baby’s development.

A pediatric neurologist will see your baby to examine your baby’s movements and muscle tone.

An occupational therapist or physical therapist may see your baby, if needed, in order to arrange for any therapies that the baby should need.

Where is the clinic?

• The clinic is located in suite 290 on the second floor of Physician Tower I, next to Woman’s Hospital.
  Directions from the parking garage
  Go to the second floor of the parking garage.
  Take the crosswalk to Physician Tower I.
  At the tower hallway, turn left and proceed to suite 290.
  

When is the clinic?

• The clinic will be held on most Fridays.

How to make sure your baby can be seen in the clinic:

• Some insurance programs require that a pediatrician refer the baby to the clinic. Discuss this with the discharge coordinator or social worker before your baby’s discharge to find out if this referral is necessary.
• If this referral is needed, talk with your pediatrician about completing the paperwork before your baby visits the clinic.