Dalla Terapia Intensiva Neonatale alla Pediatria di famiglia

Abstract

Discharge planning of preterm infants and transition from the neonatologist to the primary care paediatrician are key components of family-centred Neonatal Intensive Care Unit care. Growth support and monitoring, feeding choices, management of gastroesophageal reflux, neurodevelopmental issues, clinical follow-up and monitoring at home, screening and recommended vaccinations are issues that the primary care paediatrician will face in caring for these children. Many of the problems extremely preterm infants face are not yet resolved at the time of hospital discharge and will require continued outpatient management by the neonatologist, primary care paediatrician and other members of the multidisciplinary team. Parents will need to participate in a comprehensive discharge planning programme tailored to their infant’s individual needs and family resources. This article discusses the main clinical problems that primary care paediatricians have to face from the day of discharge and the successive care of the preterm infant, which is often very challenging and delicate.