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Evaluation
In order to maintain optimal surveillance for infants at risk, all newborn infants evaluated by the Neurology Critical Care team in the Intensive Care Units of Children's Hospital Boston, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Beth Israel/Deaconess Medical Center, are followed soon after discharge in the Neonatal Neurology Program at Children's. In addition, infants may be referred to the program after initial treatment at other neonatal ICUs.
Infants are evaluated in the Fetal-Neonatal Neurology Program by two child neurologists, Adre du Plessis, MD and Janet Soul, MD.
Through regular evaluations that usually begin around six weeks of life, disturbances in the neurologic development of these infants are identified at the earliest possible time and appropriate interventions are initiated. Based on these evaluations, the developing needs of these infants for physical, occupational and oromotor therapy are constantly redefined.
The progress of these infants is also assessed by child physical therapist, Priscilla Osborne, MS PT PCS, who is a specialist in the management of infants at risk for cerebral palsy.
Infants evaluated by the Fetal-Neonatal Neurology Program include those identified in the newborn period with seizures, brain hemorrhages, coma, stroke, birth injury including injury to the peripheral nerves and inherited or other problems in brain development. In addition, infants with inherited muscular problems are initially evaluated in the Fetal-Neonatal Neurology Program.
Referrals
A further aim of the Fetal-Neonatal Neurology Program is to monitor children in the program as they grow. Children with genetic neurologic dysfunction conditions in the newborn period are referred to our Neurogenetics Service under the direction of Elizabeth Thiele, MD. Infants with peripheral nerve and muscle dysfunction are eventually transferred to the Neuromuscular Program, directed to Basil Darras, MD. Infants with refractory seizures may be referred to Children's Epilepsy Program.
Services
The Fetal-Neonatal Neurology Program provides:
- Comprehensive neurologic care of infants who have suffered neurologic injury during the fetal or newborn period. The program works in close consultation with the child's family, primary care provider, Early Intervention Program and other community agencies.
- Developmental monitoring of patients and advocacy for community-based developmental support services.
- Multi-disciplinary follow-up of infants including physical therapy, communication, pediatric psychology and social work.
- Consultation with primary care provider, assistance with coordination of care of patients both within the hospital and in the community.
- Family support services.
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The Fetal-Neonatal Neurology Program at Children's Hospital Boston cares for infants and children whose neurological problems are congenital or begin at birth or in early infancy.
