Our goal is to detect problems early and coordinate care with a comprehensive team. We use proven tools to screen babies for early signs of health issues. If your child experiences any physical or developmental problems, we can catch them early. Finding and addressing concerns as soon as possible can make a significant difference.

Nutrition is essential for babies who've been in the NICU. They often have problems preventing them from getting the nutrients they need. Feeding issues can put your baby at risk for poor growth, infections and delayed development.

Before your baby leaves the NICU, we make sure they can receive the nutrition they need at home. We help them transition successfully from feeding tubes to breastfeeding or bottle feeding. In the event that your child goes home on a feeding tube, we educate parents on proper care and directives for this.

Our specialists make sure your baby gets the right amount of calories, protein, fat, fluids, electrolytes, vitamins and minerals. Your baby may need breastfeeding supplements, special formulas, feeding tubes and swallow studies to ensure they can eat safely.

About 14% of babies who’ve been in the NICU have hearing loss, and many have vision problems. Genetics, infections, congenital anomalies and premature birth can cause hearing and vision problems. It’s important to catch and treat these issues early. However, it can be difficult to tell whether your baby is having trouble hearing or seeing. We regularly screen every child and coordinate care with specialists, depending on your baby’s needs.

NICU babies are at risk for developmental delays and disorders, such as:

• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Autism
• Behavioral issues
• Cerebral palsy
• Delays in milestones such as speaking, walking and playing

Our developmental psychologists and other developmental specialists use evidence-based assessments and screening tools to detect early signs of developmental issues. When we identify a problem, we work with you to decide which therapies are right for your child. Treatment may include speech, occupational, physical, behavioral and intensive neurological therapy.

Early detection and intervention can help your child overcome limitations or learn to function with them. We help your family understand what you can do at home to improve your child's motor function and keep them safe. We make sure that every NICU graduate has the opportunity to reach their fullest developmental potential.

If your baby has a long-term medical condition, our team will help manage their care. We can coordinate referrals and appointments with any Cook Children’s specialists your baby may need, such as:

• Cardiologists
• Ear, nose and throat doctors
• Nephrologists
• Neurologists and neurosurgeons
• Ophthalmologists
• Pulmonologists

When your baby goes home after being in the NICU, it's natural to feel overwhelmed. Know that you can lean on us. The NEST Center is here to offer your family education, support, expertise and hope.

Conditions treated

NICU babies are our specialty. Most of our patients have been in the NICU, however, we also see patients from other units as well.

We screen and assess for:

• Premature infants (<32 weeks)
• Severe congenital heart defects
• Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE)
• Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
• Intraventricular hemorrhage
• Necrotizing enterocolitis (requiring surgical intervention)
• Patients that have been on ECMO
• Congenital anomalies
• Genetic disorders
• Behavioral concerns
• Neurological complications