Center for Healthy Infant Lung Development (CHILD)

Program expertise ranges from care of premature infants to care of full-term infants with breathing difficulties. We offer a comprehensive, team-based approach to maximize the growth and development of the lungs, which helps children reach their maximum potential in all aspects of their normal activities, including exercise, feeding and learning. Our staff is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, and we pride ourselves in how available we are to our families.

Our multidisciplinary staff includes:

• Caring for premature infants who have been discharged home from the Newborn Intensive Care Unit

• Caring for newborns and infants with neonatal surgical issues, like diaphragmatic hernia or VATER

• Caring for children in the home with medical equipment
  • Our respiratory therapists and nurses provide training and guidance to patient families regarding home care, including monitoring breathing, safety, resuscitation, and how to recognize and respond to emergencies.

• Helping hospitalized children (who are dependent on medical technology for breathing assistance) transition back to their home and school

• Weaning children from oxygen therapy

• Weaning children from ventilator dependency

• Long-term follow-up care for prevention of acute respiratory illness

• Assisting families in transitions from car beds to car seats, and determining safe timing of airline travel in infants with lung disease