Guidelines for primary care follow-up of premature infants.
This article provides general guidelines for assessing premature infants during their first two years of life. Statistics are presented to validate this population's increased risk of medical, neurologic and developmental problems. Developmental assessment and the need to use corrected age with standardized tools is explained. Immunizing preemies according to their chronological age is discussed. The following content is reviewed: growth parameters with head circumference and intrauterine growth retardation, nutrition and caloric requirements, necessary screenings with referral information, medical problems with apnea monitor management, and anticipatory guidance including the Vulnerable Child Syndrome.
Miller
N P
NP
Special Care Infant Follow-Up Program, Morristown Memorial Hospital, NJ.
D002657:Child Development; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D006801:Humans; D007224:Infant Care / Q000592:standards*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000592:standards*