Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento provides ongoing services to children who have received care in our Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery. We want to ensure your that baby continues to develop to his or her full potential.
If your baby meets certain criteria, you may be asked to schedule follow-up appointments three to four times during the first three years of life. These check-ups allow healthcare professionals to monitor your child's progress and to suggest services that help encourage optimal growth and development.
Our interdisciplinary care team works under the direction of a neonatologist and developmental pediatrician and consists of the following members:
- Developmental pediatrician
- Pediatric nurse practitioner
- Pediatric physical therapist
- Pediatric occupational therapist
- Clinical psychologist
- Clinical social worker
- Ophthalmologist, as indicated
- Audiologist, as indicated
Your child's visits may include:
- A developmental evaluation using the Bayley Scales. This is a standardized assessment that assesses the child’s mental (play), language (talking, listening), and motor (movement) skills. It is a more detailed and thorough assessment than the Denver Developmental, which is the screening instrument most often used in the physician's office.
- A physical and neurological exam with an emphasis on the child's growth and neurologic maturation.
- Parental guidance on ways to promote your child's development.
- A composite report of your child's visit that will be mailed to you and your child's physician.
- Referrals to community programs, agencies and consultants, as needed.
All clinical services require a doctor's referral and are approved by California Children's Services.