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NICU Follow Up Clinic in Bhubaneswar

NICU Follow Up Clinic

NICU Follow Up Clinic in Bhubaneswar

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) follow-up clinic at Manipal Hospitals in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, aims to provide specialised care and supervision to infants who are born prematurely or with complex medical conditions. The clinic is a support system for infants to preserve and sustain their lives. Infants, particularly premature babies weighing under 1500 grams, those requiring oxygen, and those with congenital conditions, strokes, or meningitis, are admitted to the NICU, and follow-ups are done to monitor any potential developmental challenges or abnormalities that could arise as they grow.

Manipal Hospital's NICU follow up clinic in Bhubaneswar features an interdisciplinary team, including neonatologists, developmental paediatricians, and child psychologists, who collaborate to discuss and plan appropriate therapies and treatments as infants continue to develop. The clinic is fully equipped with state-of-the-art technologies and types of machinery, enabling us to provide comprehensive care and high-end treatment for infants.

 

FAQ's

Infants may have difficulty eating and gaining weight during the first year of life. Some may need oxygen or specific medications that require extra supervision. Pre-term babies are prone to delays in hitting typical developmental milestones like rolling over, sitting up, engaging with their surroundings, and developing language skills. Moreover, they may have a high chance of developing problems with hearing, vision, and sensory awareness.

Your follow-up visits to the clinic depend on the age and health issues that are addressed. The usual flow of the schedule typically involves visits at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months old after the discharge of the body. For premature babies, appointments are based on ‘corrected age’ as specialists also account for the time the baby spent in the womb before being born. Therefore, if a baby was born 3 months early, their first appointment with the doctor might be when they are 6 months old ‘chronologically’ but 3 months old ‘corrected’. The time duration for infants lasts around an hour, while for older babies and children, it would be 2 to 3 hours.

Assessments during a NICU follow-up involve evaluation of growth, nutritional status, development, vision, hearing, and neurological condition. At Manipal Hospitals in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, each neonatal follow-up plan is personalised according to your child’s needs. A typical course of action during a follow-up involves:

  • Physical examination and medical history review, including recent illness, medications, and vital signs.
  • Developmental assessments to identify any early disorders, such as autism.
  • Weighing the infant’s height, weight, length, and head circumference and providing provisional nutritional counselling.
  • Evaluation of thinking, learning, and speech development.
  • Assessment of family’s needs and assistance are provided by accessing available resources.
  • Opportunity to ask questions and address concerns about your child’s health, development, or behaviour.
  • Coordination with your child’s paediatrician in providing comprehensive care and support, and helping in identifying physicians, home care services, therapists, and educational programmes in your community. 

Yes, the NICU follow-up clinic is supervised by an interdisciplinary team, and specialists will evaluate your baby’s development and guide you through progress and ways to address challenges. This includes:
 

  • Paediatrician: evaluates your baby’s health and growth
     

  • Neonatologist: assessing vital signs, growth organ function, feeding ability, neurological status, and any other complications or cognitive disorders.
     

  • Developmental paediatrician: monitors any specific developmental or behavioural issues in children
     

  • Child psychologist: addressing children’s intellect, emotions, and actions 


Occupational therapist: assistance in baby’s motor skills, such as holding and letting go of toys

The duration of hospital stays for neonates depends on parameters such as the mother’s health, the baby’s health and stability, the mother’s ability and confidence to care for the baby, the support available at home, and access to necessary follow-up care.

Criteria that are taken into account for neonates to be discharged are when:
 

  • Can breathe without any oxygen support
     

  • Stable heart rate
     

  • Capable of oral feeding
     

  • Increased their weight
     

  • Steady and stable body temperature

After NICU discharge, you can support your child’s development through several steps, such as:

  • Feeding: Breast milk is given as a primary source of nutrition, even for premature babies for the first six months. Your paediatrician would guide you through a feeding schedule that is personalised for your baby.
     

  • Nutrition: Premature infants are prone to ailments like anaemia, and therefore regular screening is important. It is essential to consult with your child’s paediatrician if you have any concerns related to your child’s nutritional deficiencies.
     

  • Infection: Premature babies have low immunity, and are at high risk of acquiring certain infections like RSV. Maintaining a clean home environment and limiting visitors would ensure reduced infection risk. Your medical health care provider would also chart a proper immunisation schedule for your baby.
     

  • Sleep: Premature babies are at higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Hence, proper care should be taken regarding your child’s sleeping position, and maintaining a comfortable room temperature to reduce risk.
     

  • Warmth and security: Warmth plays an important role in the baby's health. Methods such as swaddling, holding, and cuddling could provide warmth and security for the baby. Kangaroo mother care (KMC) is utilised, where the baby is held between the mother’s breasts for warmth, intimacy, improved respiration, and on-demand feeding.
     

  • Recognising alarming signs: Seek immediate medical attention if you notice difficulty breathing, high-temperature fever, reduced food intake, decreased activity, or convulsions in your baby.
     

  • Regular follow-up: Preterm babies may face long-term health and developmental issues. Therefore, constant monitoring of your baby’s condition is necessary to ensure early detection and intervention for any anomalies. 

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