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Outpatient Care of the Premature Infant

This is a corrected version of the article that appeared in print.

Michael Bybel, DO
Catherine A. Delaney, MD
Katie Coble, MD

American Family Physician. 2025;112(2):153-161.

Author disclosure: No relevant financial relationships.

This clinical content conforms to AAFP criteria for CME.

Family physicians oversee the complex care of premature infants after discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit, taking into consideration the degree of prematurity and unique complications that can occur. Early family engagement is critical for these infants. Before hospital discharge, at least two caregivers should demonstrate the ability to appropriately feed and provide necessary care for the infant. Premature infants are at risk of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, periventricular leukomalacia, retinopathy of prematurity, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis, and intraventricular hemorrhage. Routine vaccination is recommended. This includes newer prevention options for respiratory syncytial virus (eg, nirsevimab [Beyfortus]) and the prenatal vaccine Abrysvo. Growth of premature infants is monitored using corrected age and may improve with use of breast milk fortifiers or enriched formulas. Premature infants are also at risk for neurodevelopmental disabilities, including cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, and vision and hearing impairment. Developmental screening using corrected age is recommended at ages 9, 18, and 30 months, with screening for autism spectrum disorder at 18 and 24 months.

MICHAEL BYBEL, DO, FAAFP, is director of the Family Medicine Obstetrics Fellowship at Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, Fort Hood, Texas, and an assistant professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences School of Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland.

CATHERINE A. DELANEY, MD, FAAFP, is an associate program director and a faculty member at the Martin Army Community Hospital Family Medicine Residency, Fort Benning, Georgia.

KATIE COBLE, MD, is core faculty at the Eglin Family Medicine Residency, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

Address correspondence to Michael Bybel, DO, FAAFP, at mike.bybel@gmail.com.

Author disclosure: No relevant financial relationships.

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