The Neonatal High Risk Follow-Up Clinic

The Neonatal High Risk Follow-up Clinic at Rush Medical Center is a multidisciplinary clinic which monitors infants for abnormalities in growth, neurologic examination (muscle tone) and development up to 2 years corrected age. The clinic is essentially a "Preemie Clinic" and follows all infants with birth weights less than 1500 grams (3 pounds 5 ounces) hospitalized in the Rush NICU. Patients who meet the above criteria are referred during the hospital stay and the first visit is scheduled prior to discharge from the NICU.

Clinic visits are scheduled at the following ages (adjusted for prematurity):

• 4, 8 and 20 months corrected age.
• Additional visits at 12 months are scheduled as needed

Our multidisciplinary team consists of the following:

• Neonatologists
• Developmental psychologists
• Physical therapists

What to Expect at Each Visit:

 4, 8 and 20 months:

• A history, physical and neurologic exam by a neonatologist
• Education on problems unique to preterm infants
• Recommendations to maximize your child’s development

4 to 8 months:

• Exercise teaching by a physical therapist 
• Particularly for infants not already in therapy service

8 and 20 months:

• Evaluation by a developmental psychologist
• He or she will administer the Bayley Scales of Infant Development

Referrals may be made to other pediatric subspecialists as needed as well as to the Child and Family Connections, the intake agency for Early Intervention services in the state of Illinois. A letter detailing the visit will be sent to your child's pediatrician.

For Further Information:
Contact name: Bertha Perez, clinic coordinator
Phone number: (312) 942-6809 or (312) 942-6640
E-mail: bertha_perez@rush.edu

Clinic Location: 
1725 W. Harrison St.
Suite 710 Professional Building
Chicago, IL 60612