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Taking Care of Preterm Infants: Outpatient Considerations
Insights
The number of preterm infants is increasing, requiring outpatient providers to manage chronic conditions after neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) discharge. This guide offers strategies for common issues like growth, nutrition, and lung disease.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pediatric Primary Care
Background:
- Increasing survival rates of preterm infants lead to more neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) graduates.
- Preterm birth is associated with higher risks for chronic health and developmental issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To inform primary care providers (PCPs) about managing chronic conditions in infants post-NICU discharge.
- To outline strategies for addressing common sequelae of prematurity.
Main Methods:
- Review of common chronic conditions and developmental needs of preterm infants.
- Discussion of management strategies for outpatient settings.
Main Results:
- Key areas requiring attention include growth, nutrition, gastroesophageal reflux, immunizations, vision/hearing, chronic lung diseases (bronchopulmonary dysplasia, pulmonary hypertension), and neurodevelopmental outcomes.
- PCPs need specific knowledge to manage these complex cases.
Conclusions:
- Effective management of chronic conditions in preterm infants post-NICU discharge is crucial for long-term health.
- This article provides a framework for PCPs to optimize care for these vulnerable patients.
Abstract:
In recent decades, the number of pre-term infants born each year has been on the rise as mortality rates decline with improvements in technology and medical care. As a result, many preterm infants are successfully discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). However, with prematurity comes the increased risk of ongoing health and development needs. Special attention must be given to certain chronic conditions by the outpatient provider, including growth and nutrition; gastroesophageal reflux; immunizations; vision and hearing impairments; chronic lung diseases, including bronchopulmonary dysplasia and pulmonary hypertension; and neurodevelopmental outcomes. This article will detail some of these topics to better inform the primary care provider of appropriate strategies to manage these chronic conditions and sequalae on NICU discharge. [Pediatr Ann. 2023;52(6):e200-e205.].
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