After the NICU

Abstract

After hospital discharge, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) graduates often have special health care needs that can persist into childhood. Primary care is a universal care setting that presents the opportunity for these needs to be addressed. Behavioral health services integrated into the primary care setting allow for early identification of concerns through screening, addressing of concerns through consultation and intervention, and increased care coordination through collaboration with various care team members. Given the special health care needs of NICU graduates and the increased risk for behavioral health concerns among NICU graduates and their families, it is important to adapt behavioral health practices to meet the specific needs of NICU graduates and their families. This chapter discusses adaptations and considerations for providing integrated behavioral health services in primary care for NICU graduates over the course of their childhood.