The UNC Special Infant Care Clinic (SICC) provides a multidisciplinary approach to the developmental follow-up of high-risk infants from birth to 2 years of age. A team of physicians, nurse practitioners, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists provide comprehensive developmental evaluations and link infants to community services such as Early Childhood Intervention. Infants can also receive hearing, feeding and nutrition evaluations. In addition, the SICC provides follow-up for patients involved in clinical research protocols.
Infants at risk for neurodevelopmental delays are invited for follow-up in SICC. The first appointment is usually scheduled at 6 months adjusted age. For high risk infants, such as those discharged on oxygen or with a tracheostomy, or with significant family support needs, providers may schedule the first appointment 1-3 months after discharge. Notify clinic staff, Janice Wereszczak at 984-974-7869 of these special requests or for questions/advice. A child service coordinator referral should be made for all infants who will follow-up in SICC.
SICC meets every Thursday. For inquiries and patient appointments, please contact Lori Carter, RN, at 919-843-0956.
The Center for Maternal and Infant Health provides staff support to this clinic. Our care coordinator, Lori Carter, works with multiple specialists to coordinate appointments during each visit. She also provides follow-up after the visit to insure that families have received all necessary referrals.
SICC Specific Selection Criteria
- Infant with birthweight less than or equal to 1250 grams or gestational age less than 30 weeks
OR ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:
- Grade III or IV Intra ventricular hemorrhage
- Periventricular leukomalacia
- Perinatal Asphyxia (umbilical cord pH ,7.0, 5 minute apgar <5, multisystem organ involvement, abnormal EEG, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy)
- Severe Chronic Lung Disease: discharged home on oxygen
- PPHN requiring nitric oxide, high frequency oscillator ventilation or ECMO
- Hyperbilirubinemia requiring exchange transfusion
- Post-op patients of major congenital heart disease
- Neurologic disorders, hyper or hypotonia, or seizures
- Symmetric Inutero Growth Restriction
- Genetic syndromes associated with neurodevelopmental delays
- Hydrocephalus requiring VP-shunt
- Congenital infections
- Meningitis
- Hypothyroidism
- Infants with high parental psycho-social risk (substance use/teenage parent)
- Other conditions that the team feels will place the infant at high-risk.
