Infants and children who spent time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) are at higher risk for developmental and feeding difficulties and require close observation by a team of specialty providers. The Early Years Program is dedicated to providing evidence-based feeding management, neurodevelopmental follow-up care and psychosocial support for NICU graduates and their families.
A collaborative effort between the Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine and Riley Rehabilitation Services, the Early Years Program provides family-centered care by an expert multidisciplinary team including medical providers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, psychologists, registered dietitians and social workers.
Population served are NICU graduates with:
- Prematurity (<32 weeks)
- Chronic lung disease of prematurity
- Complex congenital heart disease
- Neurologic complications
- Any major surgery while in the NICU
- Feeding challenges
Services:
- Multidisciplinary feeding evaluation and management
- Comprehensive neurodevelopmental assessment and treatment planning
- Early identification initiatives for cerebral palsy and autism spectrum disorder
- Family-centered care model that includes psychosocial support for parents managing the difficult transition from the NICU to home
- Dedicated Infant Breathing Program clinic for patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia
- Dedicated feeding clinic and tube weaning program for patients requiring tube feeds
