Center for Healthy Infant Lung Development (CHILD)

These breathing problems can be detected by screening infants before they are discharged from the hospital, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. This screening is called a car seat challenge. Infants who are found to have breathing problems through a car seat challenge make their first trip home in a "car bed."

Until now, there has been no system for continued evaluation of infants sent home in car beds. Furthermore, it is not known when it is safe to transition infants from their car bed to their car seat.

The Center for Healthy Infant Lung Development is currently evaluating infants who failed their initial car seat screen and were sent home in a car bed. This follow-up screen will help determine when it is safe for your infant to travel in a traditional car seat.

We recommend infants begin repeating screening one month after being discharged from the hospital, or sooner if the infant is outgrowing the car bed.

You should bring your infant's car seat with you to the appointment. Plan to spend three hours at the appointment. Bring extra infant care supplies. This visit includes an initial intake with a nurse or nurse practitioner, car seat testing of your infant in the car seat and a follow-up discussion with a doctor.

For additional information, contact:

Lawrence Rhein, MD
Center for Healthy Infant Lung Development
Children's Hospital Boston
300 Longwood Ave.
Boston, MA 02115
Phone: 617-355-1900
Fax: 617-730-0373

or

Michele DeGrazia, PhD, NNP-BC
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Scientist
Children's Hospital Boston
300 Longwood Ave.
Boston, MA 02115
Phone: 617-355-8076
Fax: 617-730-0902