One of the most important components of the Premature MRI study is the follow-up visits. We work with the Intensive Care Nursery Follow-up Program, directed by Dr. Robert Piecuch, a neonatologist at UCSF. Our standard follow-up time points are 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 2.5 years, 4.5 years, and 8 years. Scroll down through the page to view the components of each exam.

6 months: At the six-month exam we will be doing a check-up to see how you and your baby are doing. You may meet some or all of our medical consultants: nurse practitioner, physician and neurologist. We will do a neurodevelopmental examination, seeing how your baby moves, reaches for toys, and so forth. We will check growth measurements: height, weight, and head circumference. We also do a developmental screening exam.
Duration: Half an hour to 45 minutes.

12 months: The 12-month exam starts with a developmental assessment done by the psychologist or nurse practitioner. This involves showing your baby toys and other items to see if your baby is making the progress we expect. Babies, toddlers and children always have fun "playing with blocks" during this part of the visit. Since your child was born prematurely, we will be using his/her 'adjusted age.' Adjusted age means that we will take into account the weeks your baby was born premature and give your baby that extra time to catch up until he or she reaches three years of age. After the developmental assessment, we will do the general neurological exam, and take growth measurements. If you have twins or triplets, be sure to bring some other adult with you so we can separate the siblings so they can be assessed individually.
Duration: 45 minutes

18 months: The 18-month exam is a lot like the twelve-month exam, though it may take a little longer. Once again we will do a neurological exam and age-appropriate developmental assessment.
Duration: 45 minutes

2.5 years: Much like the 12-month and 18-month visits, your child will get a neurological exam and developmental assessment.
Duration: 45 minutes

4.5 years: This visit is a lot like the previous ones, but the developmental assessment lasts a little longer. The neurological exam is the same.
Duration: Hour and fifteen minutes to an hour and a half.

8 years: The 8-year visit is the last automatically scheduled visit for the PreMRI study, but the Follow-up Program staff may want to see your child again. This visit also includes a neurological exam and a developmental assessment.
Duration: Hour and a half

The UCSF Follow-Up Program's main site is in San Francisco, but we also have satellite clinics in Eureka, Willits, Santa Rosa, and Salinas, and we'll be happy to see you at the clinic that is closest to home for you!

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