Comprehensive Follow-up Care and Life-Threatening Illnesses Among High-Risk Infants

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Abstract
Neonatal follow-up programs were originally developed to survey the outcome of high-risk infants, assess the effects of perinatal insults and care, and identify infants needing referral for care of ongoing problems. Unfortunately, this approach has often been associated with a substantial loss to follow-up among families of lower socioeconomic status.1,2 Moreover, this approach does not address the needs of very-low-birth-weight infants of any socioeconomic situation who lack access to a physician skilled in managing the pulmonary, gastrointestinal, nutritional, neurological, developmental, and other problems common among these infants.1-5 Some follow-up programs now provide well-baby care and care for chronic illnesses. However, care for acute illnesses typically is not provided. Without prompt, effective treatment, minor illnesses or complications may quickly become life-threatening in these vulnerable infants. This problem is likely to contribute to their increased mortality, morbidity, and cost of care throughout infancy.1,4-7

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