Neonatal continuing care 

Having your child in the NICU can be scary — so can leaving it. That’s why we continue to stay by your child’s side once you leave us or any other NICUs. Our Neonatal Continuing Care Program is dedicated to the health, learning and development of NICU graduates.  

Babies who require hospitalization in a NICU may have a higher chance of later health, growth and developmental issues, so discovering these problems early can allow for early treatment to help build a healthy future. Many of these problems can be improved with treatment, such as physical therapy, medications or special diets. 

Our patients 

We offer comprehensive services to children cared for in NICUs across Central Virginia – not just CHoR. We accept accepts patients who: 

• Were born before 32 weeks of pregnancy 
• Were at-risk late preterm infants (34-36 weeks) 
• Were small for gestational age (SGA) 
• Had pulmonary hypertension severe enough to require nitric oxide or ECMO 
• Had seizures, hypoxic encephalopathy, or meningitis 
• Had an intracranial hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain) or PVL (brain cysts) 
• Are at risk for requiring developmental clinic 

Caring for your baby

Our multidisciplinary team includes a neonatologist, developmental specialist, psychologist, physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist, dietitian and other team members who help kids grow and develop to their highest potential while working closely with primary care doctors. Care includes:

• Examining the child
• Reviewing current progress
• Recommendations to promote growth and development
• Recommendations for additional specialty care as needed
• Testing for language and physical development
• Showing you activities that help with development
• Referrals to Infant & Toddler Connection of Virginia if needed (for physical, occupational or speech therapy that can take place in the family's home)
• Discussing feeding habits
• Referrals to a specialty feeding program if needed