Taking Care of Preterm Infants: Outpatient Considerations

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.].