The NICU Follow-Up Program aims to provide ongoing evaluation and guidance related to the health and development of high-risk children during the first three years of life. The goal of the program is to make sure that these children are developing to the best of their ability. We provide all families with suggestions for fostering their child’s development at home and if a child experiences developmental difficulty, we help the family get the early intervention services needed in their community.
For more information about our program, please call 410-328-6003 or contact Dr. Brenda Hussey-Gardner via email (bhussey@som.umaryland.edu).
Most children seen in our program were born very prematurely (<32 weeks gestation) and/or at very low birth weights (<1500 grams). Some children were only moderately preterm (32-36 weeks gestation) but experienced additional medical complications that put them at-risk for developmental delays. Other children were born at full-term (>36 weeks gestation) but had a difficult newborn period or were born with a genetic condition that put them at-risk for developmental problems. All of the children seen in our program spent some time in a NICU. Parents who are worried about their child’s development should talk with their child’s pediatrician, or other primary health care provider, to see if a referral to our program is a good idea.
During an appointment, a developmental specialist evaluates the child’s development and a physician evaluates the child’s health. As a team we answer questions that parents have regarding their child’s behavior, development, and health. At the end of the appointment, the team summarizes our findings for the family, offer recommendations, and provide educational handouts to help parents foster their child’s development at home. A comprehensive report is available to the family within their child’s online portfolio account within one week. With parent permission, the report is sent to the child’s pediatrician and, if applicable, to the Infants and Toddlers Program.
The first NICU Follow-Up appointment for most children is at 6 months of age; for a variety of reasons, some children have their appointment at a later age. After the first appointment, children are seen every 6 months until three years of age. The NICU Follow-Up Program is not designed to provide primary health care; instead, the team works with a child’s pediatrician to foster a child’s health and development.
Parents can make an appointment by calling 410-328-6003.
NICU Follow-Up appointments are on Wednesdays at our state-of-the-art Pediatric Specialty Suite, which is located at the UMMC Midtown Campus.
Please note that if a child’s insurance requires a referral, parents are responsible for obtaining the referral and bringing it with them to the appointment or checking with the doctor to be sure it was sent.
In addition to bringing the referral, parents may want to bring a copy of the IFSP if the child is enrolled in the Infants and Toddlers Program. If parents prefer, the IFSP can be sent to Dr. Brenda Hussey-Gardner at bhussey@som.umaryland.edu.
