Introduction

No longer is the success of care in the neonatal intensive care unit measured in terms of survival. As mortality statistics have continued to become more reassuring, success must now be measured in terms of morbidity. This effort should then be used to help the individual survivor and also be used to evaluate current NICU practices. The NICU follow-up clinic has been developed as a means to accomplish these dual goals. In fact, such a program is a requirement for a graduate medical education program in neonatal-perinatal medicine. There are, however, no clear guidelines to describe the optimal follow-up program and, for example, how to structure it, staff it, and pay for it. Other issues not delineated are which graduates are truly at risk and how long they should be followed. Finally, the relationship between the follow-up clinic and the medical home must be clarified in order to not fragment care.